NNPCL's Dagazau Cleared of Money Laundering Allegations

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) dismissed a petition accusing Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice President of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), of money laundering and conflict of interest. The committee, led by chairman Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, stated that the petitioners failed to provide adequate documentary evidence to support their claims, despite being given multiple opportunities to do so.

The petition was filed by the Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria’s Petroleum Sector. During a review on October 21, representatives of the coalition could not substantiate their allegations, relying primarily on newspaper articles.

Ugochinyere noted that an allegation is not evidence, and the committee ultimately passed a vote of confidence in NNPCL's management, citing advancements in domestic refining and the downstream petroleum industry. The committee's decision does not imply that public officials are immune from investigation but stresses the necessity for credible evidence in such allegations.