The Nigerian House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil valued at over $2.4 billion in China. The House’s ad-hoc committee is tasked with unraveling the truth behind this massive unremitted oil revenue loss, and it has summoned the justice minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to provide answers.
The probe focuses on the revenue generated from the reported illegal sale of crude oil exports from 2014 until the present. During the committee hearing, Minister Malami appeared alongside Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of the Federation. While the ministry submitted a written presentation to the committee, Malami reiterated his earlier stance on the allegations and the ongoing investigation. He requested the lawmakers to furnish him with any relevant documents and facts at their disposal, aiming to assist him in aiding the investigation.
This marks the second appearance of Minister Malami and Jedy-Agba before the committee since the commencement of the probe. During their initial appearance on April 27, 2023, Minister Malami categorically refuted the claim that 48 million barrels of crude oil, valued at over $2.4 billion, were illegally sold to China.
Malami firmly stated, “The allegations relating to the 48 million barrels are baseless. The allegation is unfounded. It is lacking in merit, and indeed lacking in substance. It is in its own right devoid of any reasonable ground pointing to a material suspicion that is cogent enough to invoke the constitutional oversight of the committee.”
The minister further explained that back in 2016, social media buzzed with allegations of stolen Nigerian crude oil worth $2.4 billion being present in China. In response, President Muhammadu Buhari informally tasked the Attorney-General, along with other key figures, including Mele Kyari, the then Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Lawal Daura, the former Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the late Abba Kyari, the then Chief of Staff to the President, to investigate the matter and provide advice.
However, Minister Malami emphasized the lack of foundational facts required to substantiate the allegations. He stressed the necessity of confirming the origin of the purported product in China and establishing its connection to Nigeria through samples and specifications. The minister pointed out that vital details such as vessel particulars for the transportation of the fuel to China were not available at their disposal.