Reps Adhoc Committee request report of investigation by DIG Michael Ogbizi on whitsle blowers of illegal export and sale of crude oil in China.
House of Representatives adhoc committee investigating crude oil exports from 2014 till date and illegal sale of 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude in China in 2015 estimated at $2.4 billion has requested that report of investigation by DIG Michael Ogbizi on whitsle blowers of illegal export and sale of crude oil in China be provided to the committee .
The committee alleged threat to life,intimidation and coercion of the two whistle blowers on the the illegal sale of crude in China by the Nigeria Police Force following the inauguration of the committee in December 2022 after the whistle blowers had willingly approached the committee to give details of what transpired in the illegal crude oil export and sale deal in China.
In a meeting of the Adhoc Committee on Thursday in Abuja wiith the Head Of Interpol over the sudden Invitation of the whistleblowers by the
Head of the National Central Bureau, Interpol, AIG Garba Baba Umar, for Investigation after the House Committee had commenced its investigation into the matter, Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Hon. Mark Gbillah, expressed worries over the invitation for investigation of individuals who were witnesses and ready to give evidence to the committee and queried why they would be tagged “fugitive” and declared wanted by the police suddenly,even after an investigation had been concluded by AIG Michael Ogbizi and arraignment of the witnesses in court where they were granted bail.
One of the Whistle Blower is a Mexican who was released on bail but travel to his country.
Hon Gbillah asserted that it is an attempt to suppress the truth and undermine the ongoing investigations.
He however advised against harassing and intimidating the witnesses, assuring the determination of the House of Representatives to unearth the hidden issues in the alleged illegal deals, even as he fingered top government officials some of whom were deceased.
Giving his response to the issue raised by the committee, AIG Umar said , the message by INTERPOL inviting the whistle blowers was not to investigate but to hear the matter.
He also told the committee that the Office of the Attorney General ,through the Directorate of Public Prosecution,DPP, only seek the assistance of the INTERPOL to arrest the fugitive who has since flown out of the Country in order to escape justice.
The Head of INTERPOL further advised that all inquiries into the case be directed to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and competent Court of Law that are handling the matter as it will be prejudicial to disclose or go into a matter that is pending before a competent Court of jurisdiction.
The Committee however summoned the Director of Public Prosecution,DPP amongst others to appear before the Adhoc Committee to explain reason for declaring the Whistle Blowers wanted.
Hon Gbilla also disclosed that the Committee would embark on a trip to Mexico to meet the Country's Officials on the issue for more information.
