I Don’t Have Any Dealings With Oilbank—Arthur Eze

By Dipo Olowookere

The Executive Chairman of Atlas Petroleum International and Oranto Petroleum, Mr Arthur Eze, has denied having any dealings with Oilbank International.

Mr Eze accused Oilbank International of using his name and reputation to discuss business with people and companies, especially for the ongoing marginal oilfields bidding round in Nigeria.

For the first time in several years, Nigeria is auctioning 57 marginal fields to energy investors and the exercise is expected to attract a lot of international partnerships to inject necessary capital and technology into the country’s marginal acreages.

On August 3, 2020, ADM Energy announced its successful pre-qualification in the exercise as the exclusive technical partner of a Nigerian company, Oilbank International and Mr Eze was said to be the chairman of the latter.

But in a statement issued on Thursday by Atlas Petroleum International, Mr Eze denied having any dealings with Oilbank, alleging that his name was being fraudulently used by the firm.

“The misuse of my name and reputation is blatant fraud. I am not involved in any shape or form in the management of Oilbank International, or do I serve as its Chairman of the Board.

“Consequently, neither I nor my companies Atlas Petroleum International and Oranto Petroleum have ever had in any way, shape or form, any discussion about a potential partnership with ADM Energy,” Mr Eze declared.

“If Atlas Petroleum International wants to acquire and operate a marginal field, it can do so on its own rights and does not need a partnership with small companies like ADM Energy or Oilbank International to pursue such an opportunity.

“This is a further demonstration that all stakeholders must adhere to President Muhammadu Buhari’s call to end corruption and promote sound and transparent business practices and corporate governance standards across the energy sector,” he further emphasised.