Marilyn-Amobi
HighlightInvestigationTrending Story

Amobi, NBET boss in multi million naira travel expense scandal

816

Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc boss, Dr Marilyn Amobi became the latest Buhari administration official to be caught up in a travel expense scandal Friday with the release of a watchdog’s report that painted an 11-day trip to Gainesville, Florida as more of a sightseeing junket than official business for 6  members of the Nigerian National Assembly.

A whooping N65 Million Naira from public funds was alleged to have been spent by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET)  for the trip, despite federal government’s restriction on foreign travels and trainings abroad.

A circular conveying the message, titled ‘Restrictions on Foreign Trainings and International Travels by Public Servants,’ was issued from the office of the head of the civil service of the federation to all ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government in 2015, putting embargo on foreign travels and international trainings.

“Public servants invited for foreign trainings/study tour, conferences by any organisation, government or other bilateral/multilateral organisation will be allowed to travel provided that no travel cost, estacode application or any other cost on government is involved, the circular stated.

In defiance of the federal government’s  rule, the MD/CEO of NBET, Dr Marilyn Amobi, on the 28th of November 2017, gave a directive to spend $96,350 USD of public funds for Participation at the 43rd International training program on the utility regulation and strategy held in January 15-26 2018 in Gainsville, Florida, USA, by members of the National Assembly committees on power.

The whistleblower alleged that the national assembly members did not attend the event, describing it as a shocking waste of taxpayers money.

The National Assembly members are Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, (PDP Abia), Senator Adamu Aliero, (APC Kebbi), Senator Lanre Tejuosho, (APC Ogun), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, (PDP Abia), Hon. Daniel Asuquo, (PDP Cross River) Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo, (APC Bauchi).

 

 

 

Independent investigation by Per Second News revealed that an additional $7,200  was charged by the organizers of the training for each participant, revealing an additional N15 million tab by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc.

 

The watchdog alleged that the NBET had desperately tried to withhold the information, claiming making travel expenses public would create an “excessive administrative burden”.

Group photo below of participants at the training obtained by Per Second News from Florida did not show the senators from Nigeria.

 

Group photos of participant at the 43rd PURG

 

In another fresh allegation the watchdog group accused the NBET boss of another N40 million trip bonanza for some government officials.

“Our recent investigation has revealed how some staff of the Office of Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, have coerced the MD/CEO of NBET to sponsor them on foreign training to Denmark where about forty million was expended, the group told Per Second News.

Among the OAGF staff fingered include Fola Oladipo Adebowale- (DFA, Ministry of Power), Alex Ogbuokiri (OAGF staff) and Deborah Ayuba (OAGF staff) among others.

The group also alleged that some of the OAGF staff did not attend the training but enjoyed the financial benefits paid into their various bank accounts.

The group allege that some staff of the Office of Accountant General of the Federation has been embedded into the payroll of NBET on monthly basis in addition to their monthly salaries from OAGF, in an audacious move without the approval of neither the Minister of Power, Works and Housing nor the Head of Service of the Federation.

The head media for NBET, Henrietta Ighomrore, did not respond to multiple inquiries seeking comment.

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Presidency corrects errors in Democracy Day honours list

The Presidency has corrected an error in the list of national honours...

London-bound Air India Flight Crash Claims 200 Lives, Briton Survives

A London-bound Air India passenger plane with more than 200 people on...

Senate Introduces 844 Bills in Two Years, Akpabio Reports on Democracy Day

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced on Thursday that the...

Full text of Pres. Tinubu’s address at joint National Assembly session on Democracy Day

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR AT THE JOINT SESSION OF...

Democracy day: Protests hit Abuja, Lagos amid heavy security

As Nigeria observes Democracy Day today, demonstrators have taken to the streets...

NNPC Ltd Demonstrates Transparency in its April 2025 Monthly Report

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has released its April 2025...

Just in: Air India flight AI171with 242 passengers on board crashes

A London-bound Air India flight with 242 passengers on board crashed shortly...

Fela’s Iconic “Zombie” Album inducted into 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame

Nearly three decades after his passing, Nigeria’s Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti...

SEC Warns Nigerians: CBEX Remains Banned, Avoid Doing Business with It

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reiterated that CBEX (Crypto Bridge...

Ogun market woman’s fatal stabbing over levy: Suspects nabbed, remanded in prison – Police

Police in Ogun State have announced the arrest and arraignment of several...

Wike’s APC Switch Invitation: Tinubu Says Party’s Door is Open

President Bola Tinubu said on Wednesday that while the Federal Capital Territory...

Just in: 2027: Coalition to remove Tinubu bound to fail, says Wike

The planned coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 is bound...

Investing in Infrastructure Critical to Nigeria’s Economic Growth – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu said on Wednesday that his administration’s guiding philosophy is...

Just in: Rivers 2025 budget provides for Gov. Fubara’s return – Administrator Ibas

As Nigerians continue to call for the return of the suspended Rivers...

World Bank: Global Economy Slumps to Weakest Performance in Years, Excluding Recessions

The World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report has warned that global...

N1bln Constituency Projects Fund: Tinubu Gets Kudos for Empowering Lawmakers

Mr. Tunji Akinosi, the House of Representatives member for Ado-Odo/Ota federal constituency,...

Pres. Tinubu returns to Abuja after Eid holiday in Lagos

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after the Sallah holiday in...

Kano to Get More EU Investment, Amb. Migno Pledges

Gautier Mignot, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, on...

Global Health Alert: WHO Declares) Mpox a Public Health Emergency

By Daniel Okejeme with additional agency report The World Health Organisation(WHO) says...

Power Boost for Borno: NDPHC Inaugurates 7.5MVA Substation

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has...