The Senate on Wednesday began an investigation into allegations of corruption against the NNPC Trading Limited , a subsidiary of the national oil firm , which was accused o awarding a questionable petroleum importation
contract.
The lawmakers are also probing the allegations off insubordination and unapproved award of
$ 25 bn contracts against the Group Managing Director , NNPC , Dr . Maikanti Baru , by Kachikwu .
The move by the Senate followed the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary by Senator Samuel Anyanwu and titled , ‘ Allegation of corruption against NNPC Trading: Time to conduct a holistic investigation’ .
The lawmakers also adopted another prayer of the motion , which called for a probe of the allegations against Baru in a petition to the President by the minister.
Kachikwu had written to Buhari alleging acts of insubordination and humiliation by Baru.
In the letter titled , ‘ Re : Matters of insubordination and lack of adherence to due process by the GMD NNPC – Dr . Baru , ’ Kachikwu alleged that the NNPC boss had repeatedly sidelined and disrespected the boardof the national oil firm , which is chaired by the minister, among other alleged misdemeanours .
Moving the motion , Anyanwu said the Senate was aware that NNPC Trading Limited was a joint venture creation of the NNPC and Duke Oil , Hyson /Carlson (JV ), NAP Oil ( JV) and West Africa – Gas Limited (JV)
According to the lawmaker , Duke Oil was incorporated in 1989 in Panama and does not
pay tax in Nigeria .
The lawmaker said , “ The Senate is further aware that Duke Oil , compared to other major players in the sector , is still grappling with the basics of what it was registered to do in spite of massive support from the NNPC owing to large scale corruption .
“ We are aware of the decision by the current GMD to allocate almost all products to Duke Oil ; this is in addition to its automatic inclusion in the lifting of crude oil , gas , etc . , which made
Duke Oil a money – spinning outfit that is accountable only to the NNPC . ”
Seconding the motion , Senator Abubakar Yusuf called for an extension of the probe to the NNPC and all its subsidiaries .
President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki , named Senator Aliyu Wammako as Chairman of the panel , while Senators Tayo Alasoadura , Kabiru Marafa , Albert Bassey , Sam Anyanwu, Ahmed Ogembe , Chukwuka Utazi, Rose Okoh
and Baba Kaka Garbai were listed as members .