NNPC Stole Crude Oil Worth $2.06bn in 2015

Samano Sa De CV, an oil trading firm, has said the officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stole 48 million barrels of crude in 2015.

The oil firm said despite informing NNPC and top government officials of the theft, they did nothing until the stolen crude oil was moved from China and sold illegally by both NNPC officials and government officials.

In a letter titled, ‘Formal Request for the Payment of five per cent Whistleblower Compensation For Information Furnished In Respect of Crude Oil Stolen from the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ and signed by a lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, on behalf of the oil firm, the company said Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, NNPC and Mr. Umar Mohammed were informed of the stolen crude oil and expected to act immediately.

Samano Sa De CV also stated that a subsequent letter written to President Buhari on the stolen crude oil was prevented from reaching him.

The stolen crude oil now worth $2.06 billion, going by the current crude oil price of $43 per barrel.

Samano Sa De CV letter read in part, “Sequel to this policy, our client, being a reputable and credible company, promptly brought to the knowledge of the Nigerian Government, information as to criminal activity involving the NNPC and the stolen product.

“This information was given to high ranking officials of the Nigerian government to wit; Mr Mele Kyari, the Managing Director of NNPC; Mr. Abba Kyari, the then Chief of Staff to the President; and Mr. Umar Mohammed.

“Consequently, it was agreed that an investigation into the stolen product should be made to ascertain the veracity of the information and garner more facts as to the fraudulent activities.

“It was also agreed that if the information is found credible, the perpetrators of the offence would be apprehended and that compensation due to our client for the information brought forward would be awarded.

“Further to the above-stated discussions, our client through its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jose Salaza Tinajero (its representative) wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari notifying him of the stolen products as advised by the high ranking officials.

“The said letter was delivered to Mr Umar Mohammed, who to the surprise of our client, failed to deliver it to the President.”

Attached to the letter were documents including bank transfers, names of vessels and their captains to further validate Samano Sa De CV claim that the crude oil has been sold illegally by some officials in connivance with NNPC officials.