NNPC operates
a secret account used for siphoning monies,currently has a balance of $137mllion, $4million has previously been withdrawn – Sen. Malaye
Lawmaker
representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, has
raised the alarm over alleged operation of a secret account by the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other joint venture
companies.
Melaye, who raised a point of order at the plenary on
Tuesday, alleged that the account, which was supposed to be domiciled
with the Central Bank of Nigeria, was with Keystone Bank, had no Bank
Verification Number and had a balance of $137m as of today (Tuesday).
He
said, “While some individuals and government appointees will continue
to steal, we have decided to continue to expose corruption in public
life.
“This morning, I call the attention of the Nigerian Senate to a suspected, colossal, monumental corruption in NNPC.
“A company was registered with the name ‘Brass LNG Limited’ with the Federal Government having controlling shares.
“We
have some Italians, Belgians and French as shareholders, with the
Federal Government with a controlling share of about 50 per cent.
“It
is a known fact that once you have a joint venture, the account of such
joint venture will be domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“But
in this case, that was not what happened. In private, the account was
opened with Keystone Bank; this account has no BVN and there has been
periodic withdrawals (from it).
“The last withdrawal from the
account was to the tune of $4m. As I speak to you, the balance of that
account as of today is $137m.”
President of the Senate, Bukola
Saraki, sought the permission of the lawmakers to allow Melaye to bring
the matter up as a motion at the next legislative day, which was
unanimously granted.
Melaye was asked to move the motion on Wednesday (tomorrow).