Multiple Allegations: Group Urges Tinubu to Probe NNPCL GCEO Ojulari

An accountability and pro-democracy group has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently order an independent investigation into the numerous allegations surrounding the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari.
The group, Network for Good Governance and Accountability in Nigeria (NeGGAN), also urged the Nigerian Senate to invoke relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018, to issue a warrant of arrest against the NNPCL GCEO over his continued refusal to honour invitations from the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.

The invitations are connected to an ongoing probe into an alleged unaccounted sum of ₦230 trillion.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Engr. Jacob Yakubu, and made available to journalists on Friday, NeGGAN questioned why President Tinubu had yet to order an independent probe into Engr. Ojulari’s activities, “despite the avalanche of allegations against him and several weighty petitions reportedly submitted to the EFCC by reputable organisations.”
The group expressed concern that the NNPCL boss had repeatedly failed to appear before the Senate committee, despite being invited on five occasions, describing his actions as a blatant disregard for the National Assembly and an attempt to undermine its constitutional oversight powers.
Engr. Ojulari was summoned to respond to issues arising from NNPCL’s audited financial statements covering 2017 to 2023, during which the Senate flagged financial discrepancies reportedly exceeding ₦210 trillion.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada, had raised alarm over the audited reports, citing accrued expenses amounting to ₦103 trillion. These reportedly included ₦600 billion in retention fees, as well as unspecified legal and audit fees, allegedly without supporting documents or referenced contracts.
After repeatedly failing to appear in person, the NNPCL GCEO reportedly submitted a written explanation claiming that ₦103 trillion represented accrued expenses, while ₦107 trillion were listed as receivables, bringing the total figure to ₦210 trillion. The committee reportedly found the explanation unsatisfactory.
NeGGAN also recalled allegations made in November last year by former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who accused Engr. Ojulari of attempting to cover up fraud in NNPCL’s financial records.
According to the group, Senator Oshiomhole had warned that the alleged financial mismanagement involved sums exceeding what the Tinubu administration was then seeking to borrow externally, and urged the Senate to use its constitutional powers to summon and, if necessary, compel the appearance of the NNPCL boss.
“It is surprising that three months later, Ojulari has still not done the needful, while the Senate appears silent. Can an appointee of government be more powerful than an institution of government?” the group queried.
The statement also criticised what it described as the silence of the Presidency, noting reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested and detained Engr. Ojulari last year over some of the allegations, but later released him without publicly disclosing its findings.
“The Nigerian people deserve to know the outcome of that investigation. There were reports that Ojulari was forced to resign while in EFCC custody, but this was denied by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who said he remained NNPCL GCEO. What truly transpired during his detention remains unclear,” the group said.
NeGGAN further referenced allegations that Engr. Ojulari transferred millions of dollars to AA & R Investment Group, a company reportedly owned by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The group claimed Bashir-Haske was detained and allegedly confessed to holding the funds on Ojulari’s behalf, yet no official clarification has been issued on the amount involved or the status of the funds.
The group also recalled reports of a $21 million kickback scheme involving oil traders and pipeline contractors, allegedly uncovered after Ojulari reassigned fund collection responsibilities, as well as claims that the EFCC froze the implicated account following a whistleblower’s report.
In addition, it cited allegations of non-remittance of ₦500 billion to the Federation Account, which reportedly prompted SERAP to call on the EFCC and ICPC to investigate.
“We are not making fresh allegations,” NeGGAN stressed. “Our concern is that despite the weight of these issues and controversies surrounding the NNPCL GCEO, the EFCC, DSS and other relevant agencies appear silent, just like the Presidency, while the National Assembly seems to have abandoned its probe. This creates the impression that Ojulari is above the law.”