By Adedapo Adesanya
In its latest move, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the missing 149 million barrels of crude oil in 2019 or face legal action.
In the letter dated April 22, 2023, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the right group told Mr President to “set up a presidential panel of enquiry to promptly probe the grim allegations that over 149 million barrels of crude oil are missing, as documented in the 2019 audited reports by the Auditor General of the Federation and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).”
SERAP also urged him to “ensure the effective prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible for the plundering of the country’s oil wealth and the full recovery of any proceeds of crime.”
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.
The organisation said: “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these very serious allegations.”
SERAP said, “the recommended steps can be taken between now and the end of your term of office to set the tone for the next administration.”
“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,” the organisation stated.
SERAP said a panel should be instituted to look into the matter and “should be headed by a retired justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, and its members should include people with a proven professional record, and of the highest integrity that can act impartially, independently, and transparently.”
Modupe Gbadeyanka