Reps Investigate NIPCO Licences and Dagazu's Allegations

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has begun investigations into petitions calling for the cancellation of gas distribution licences held by NIPCO Plc in five locations. The Committee has also accused Dr Mumuni Dagazu, Executive Vice President (Downstream) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, of money laundering and abuse of office.

This decision was announced during a technical briefing in Abuja marking the end of Downstream Week 2026. The Committee formed two sub-committees to conduct preliminary investigations, with Aliyu Al-Mustapha chairing the sub-committee investigating Dagazu and Peter Aniekwe leading the one examining NIPCO.

The petitions allege serious misconduct, but the Committee emphasized that the allegations are unproven and all parties will receive a fair hearing. Ugochinyere, the Committee Chairman, assured that the integrity of the downstream petroleum sector would be upheld.

Neither NIPCO nor Dagazu had responded to the petitions by the time of the briefing.