NNPC Limited Refute Claims of Missing N20bn and theft of Multi-billion Naira Tax
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited has refuted a report by online news platform, Sahara Reports alleging the payment of the sum of N20bn to ghost consultants and Theft of multi-billion Naira tax due to the Ogun State Government.
In a press release by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd, Garba Deen Muhammad, the NNPC described the report to be absolute false, baseless and an unfortunate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the corporation and demanded the immediate retraction of the said publication.
Related Posts
NNPC Ltd also addressed the report relating to Ogun State Government claiming a back duty tax liability of about N18bn, against an NNPC subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Ltd. It noted that PPMC had objected and challenged the claim through its Tax Consultant and that the Ogun State Government took the matter to court.
The statement reads: “The NNPC The NNPC Ltd read with utmost dismay, a report by an online platform (Sahara Reporters) alleging, Paying the sum of N20bn to ghost consultants and the theft of multi-billion Naira tax due to the Ogun State Government.
“The 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 follow 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.
“The NNPC Ltd therefore demands that Sahara Reporters retracts the said publication immediately; and going forward, the platform should verify its facts before going to press.
“The second component of the said unfortunate report is related to Ogun State Government claiming a back duty tax liability of about N18bn, against an NNPC subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) 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.
“NNPC Ltd strongly advises the said online publication to be mindful of the consequences of its actions before taking them.
“For a matter that is already in court, as admitted by the online publication, it is sad that any medium can arrive at such subjudice conclusions as shown by the actions of the online medium.”
