April 04, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted reports that it paid N20 billion to ghost consultants.
The rebuttal followed a publication by an online media (not THEWILL), which alleged that the sum of N20 billion was paid to ghost consultants and theft of multi-billion naira tax due to Ogun State.
In a statement issued on Monday night, by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Muhammad, the NNPCL said as a responsible corporate organisation, it does not have or deal with ghost consultants.
The statement read: “NNPC Ltd read with utmost dismay, a report by an online platform alleging: paying the sum of N20bn to ghost consultants, and theft of multi-billion naira tax due to the Ogun State Government.
“NNPC Ltd wishes to state that as a responsible corporate organisation, it does not have or deal with ghost consultants. At NNPC Ltd, the process of engaging consultants, whenever the need arises, is clear and verifiable and follows global best practices.
“It is, therefore, unfortunate that for whatever reason, the said online platform would make such a grievous allegation, mindless of the consequences of such actions.
“The claim of a missing N20bn is absolutely false and baseless.”
Demanding immediate retraction of the publication, the NNPCL urged the media to verify facts before going to the press.
It said the second component of the said report was related to Ogun State Government claiming a back duty tax liability of about N18bn, against an NNPC subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company Ltd.
“For clarity, PPMC had objected and challenged the claim through its tax consultant. Consequently, the Ogun State Government took the matter to court, which is not unusual in business circles.
“The matter is currently before the court and NNPC Ltd will prove its case accordingly.
“In conclusion, NNPC Ltd strongly advises the said online publication to be mindful of the consequences of its actions before taking them,” it added.
It stated that for a matter that was already in court, as admitted by the online publication, it was sad that any medium could arrive at such subjudice conclusions as shown by its actions.
