Human rights lawyer , Mr . Femi Falana ( SAN ) , on Sunday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to refer the $ 25 bn contract scam allegations leveled against the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , Mr . Maikanti Baru , to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for investigation .
He also said , in a statement that , during EFCC ’ s investigation “ into the grave allegations of the reckless contravention of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act ” the President should place Baru on an indefinite suspension .
He also called on Buhari to relinquish the position of the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources due to the President ’ s “ busy schedule” and appoint another Nigerian of proven integrity and competence to take up the position .
He added that if his advice was heeded to , relinquishing the said ministerial position would “ remove undue pressure on the health of the President and allow him to attend to urgent matters of the state” .
Falana made these suggestions following what he described as “ the embarrassing petition of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr . Ibe Kachukwu , addressed to President Buhari pertaining to his inability to consult with the President and substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources” and
“the unilateral award of $ 25 bn contracts” by the NNPC ’ s GMD .
The senior lawyer also said on Sunday that officials who created the wide gulf between Kachikwu and the President should be punished.
He added that the $ 25 bn contract should be revoked once the EFCC investigation once confirmed that they were awarded without the approval of the NNPC Board , adding that the recent appointment of the heads of the parastatals in the oil and gas industry should be reviewed.
He stated , “ Although it was reported that Dr . Kachukwu has since been given access to the President the details of the discussions between the duo have been not been made public .
“ However , apart from sanctioning the officers responsible for creating the wide gulf between Dr . Kachukwu and the President , the allegation of the unilateral award of contracts worth $ 25 bn by Dr . Baru ought to be investigated in line with the anti -corruption policy of the Buhari administration .
“ In order to conduct a thorough investigation into the grave allegations of the reckless contravention of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act Mr . Baru should be placed on indefinite suspension while the presidency should refer the case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission . ”
He also said , in a statement that , during EFCC ’ s investigation “ into the grave allegations of the reckless contravention of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act ” the President should place Baru on an indefinite suspension .
He also called on Buhari to relinquish the position of the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources due to the President ’ s “ busy schedule” and appoint another Nigerian of proven integrity and competence to take up the position .
He added that if his advice was heeded to , relinquishing the said ministerial position would “ remove undue pressure on the health of the President and allow him to attend to urgent matters of the state” .
Falana made these suggestions following what he described as “ the embarrassing petition of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr . Ibe Kachukwu , addressed to President Buhari pertaining to his inability to consult with the President and substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources” and
“the unilateral award of $ 25 bn contracts” by the NNPC ’ s GMD .
The senior lawyer also said on Sunday that officials who created the wide gulf between Kachikwu and the President should be punished.
He added that the $ 25 bn contract should be revoked once the EFCC investigation once confirmed that they were awarded without the approval of the NNPC Board , adding that the recent appointment of the heads of the parastatals in the oil and gas industry should be reviewed.
He stated , “ Although it was reported that Dr . Kachukwu has since been given access to the President the details of the discussions between the duo have been not been made public .
“ However , apart from sanctioning the officers responsible for creating the wide gulf between Dr . Kachukwu and the President , the allegation of the unilateral award of contracts worth $ 25 bn by Dr . Baru ought to be investigated in line with the anti -corruption policy of the Buhari administration .
“ In order to conduct a thorough investigation into the grave allegations of the reckless contravention of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act Mr . Baru should be placed on indefinite suspension while the presidency should refer the case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission . ”
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