An anti-corruption campaign group, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) on Wednesday flayed the refusal of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to respond to the query issued her by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts.
The committee had written the minister demanding information on the controversial Challenger 850 aircraft chartered for her use allegedly by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
However, the committee while probing the alleged N10bn expenses she incurred in the last three years, discovered additional information that Alison-Madueke had in the course of the same period chartered other jets, including a Global Express XRS.
The move prompted the chairman of the committee, Solomon Olamilekan, to request for additional information on the sources of funding just as he also urged her to cite the law that empowers her to fly in chartered jets.
The minister was given one week to respond to the questions but she has not complied with the directive.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the CACOL, Debo Adeniran decried the minister’s display of impunity and disregard for constituted institution, stressing that “The level of impunity displayed by some members of President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet is uncalled for. The Petroleum Minister’s refusal to respond or appear before the house committee is highly condemnable.”
While alleging cover up, Adeniran wrote that “It has also been alleged that the NNPC fired its Executive Director, Legal Services, one Tony Maduchi, who was said to be in a position to avail the House committee of useful information on the investigation.”
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