NNPC invites EFCC to probe alleged inappropriateness of gratuity payment to Kyari, Ajiya

Following a report by some media platforms that the NNPC erred in paying “gratuity in billions” to the Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari and the Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into the matter.

To this end, the EFCC is scheduled to commence investigation on the payment on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Persecondnews recalls that some online media platforms had alleged “inappropriateness of the disengagement of Kyari and Ajiya from the services of the old Corporation and their subsequent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari to commence a new tenure as Group CEO and CFO in the new NNPC Limited.”

NNPCL had refuted the report and misrepresentation by the publications based on the provisions of Section 59(3), which nullified previous appointments after the successful transition of the defunct NNPC to the commercially driven national energy company — the NNPC Ltd.

The commission has requested that Kyari should avail the company’s Chief Officer (Human Capital) and the Chief Financial Officer for an interview on the same day.

“They will interact with the Commission’s head of Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section on a wide range of issues connected with the alleged payment of gratuities,” the EFCC’s Director of Operations, Abdulkarim Chukkol said on Tuesday.

The duo is expected to present “Certified True Copies of entitlements and retirement benefits of directors and above; evidence of payments of gratuities to the Group Managing Director, Director Accounts or any other director of the company”.

Persecondnews also recalls that two weeks ago, the NNPCL had taken legal action against the same newspaper following the report.

NNPC recalled the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act and the successful transition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to a commercially driven national energy company, the NNPC Limited.

The National Oil Company said the PIA 2021, had in addition to the creation of NNPC limited made clear and unambiguous provisions relating to Governance, Administration, and the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Board of Directors by the President.

“The PIA 2021 is deliberate about the long term sustainability of the 20 years long petroleum industry reform that climaxed in the creation of NNPC Limited as a commercially driven National Energy Company, with focus on sustainable value creation,” the statement said.