Anastasia Okechukwu ReportingÂ
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a presidential panel of enquiry to investigate alligation of the missing barrels of crude oil contained in the 2019 audited reports presented by the Auditor General of the Federation and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
According to the 2019 audited report by the Auditor General, over 107 million barrels of crude oil were lifted as domestic crude without any document or tracing. NEITI also reported missing 42.25 million barrels of crude oil in 2019, making it a total of 149 million barrel missing.
The Serap, In a letter dated 22 April and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, its deputy director, said that the reports by the Auditor-General and NEITI suggest a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and the country’s anticorruption laws and international obligations, as well as the public trust.
The organization, therefore, called on the president to demonstrate his commitment to his office by getting to the bottom of the allegations to ensure justice and accountability for the crime against Nigerians.
SERAP further said that if no action is taken within 7 days, the organization shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel him (Buhari) to comply with their request for the interest of the public.
The part of the letter read: “SERAP notes that you have repeatedly promised to combat corruption. As you go into the final weeks of your term of office, the missing crude oil allegations present yet another opportunity to demonstrate your commitment and to uphold your oath of office both as President and Minister of Petroleum Resources.
“As the President and substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources, you and your government should prioritise getting to the bottom of these allegations and use the remainder of your term of office to ensure justice and accountability for these serious crimes against the Nigerian people.
“Investigating the allegations and naming and shaming and prosecuting those suspected to be responsible for the missing crude oil would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.