AGF, Abubakar Malami at the hearing. Photo: Ibrahim Shehu/Radio Nigeria
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee Investigating the alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil to foreign destinations has re-invited the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Abubakar Malami and the Minister of Finance, Dr Zainab Ahmed to appear before it.
Committee Chairman, Mark Gbila re-issued the invitation at the ongoing three-day investigative hearing in Abuja.
Mr Gbila said both ministers are to come and explain the whistleblower policy of the federal government and provide the committee with all requested documents on the issue under probe by the House.
The lawmakers had earlier grilled the Director of Development of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr Amadu over the N21 billion paid as royalties by oil companies into the coffers of the agencies.
Some of the oil companies invited to the hearing presented their pre-shipment inspection certificates, detail of vessels used for the export of crude, financial accounting of the lifing and the details of their banking as well as the statements aimed at unraveling the truth.
The Operational Manager of Millenium Oil and Gas, Kingsley Akpan, in response to questions from panel members, told the lawmakers that a 20-Square-KM oil field had been acquired by the firm.
The AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr Malami had earlier in April dismissed claims that the country lost over $2.4 billion in revenue from alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil to China in 2015.
The Minister faulted the allegations when he was first invited to defend the charges during the resumed Ad-hoc Committee investigation into the issue.
Reporting by Ibrahim Shehu; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade and Tony Okerafor