President Goodluck Jonathan has authorized a forensic audit of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
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Lamido Sanusi speaks during the Sir Patrick Gillam lecture about the economic problems of sub-Saharan Africa at the London School of Economics in London, U.K., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. |
The Presidency said on Wednesday that “reputable international firms” would carry out the audit, but the companies’ names were not disclosed.
The decision has followed the calls by the Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and a Senate committee investigating the graft allegations to conduct a forensic audit of NNPC after the Central Bank ex-governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi presented evidence that he said showed the company failed to remit $20bn of oil revenue to federal government coffers.
NNPC has repeatedly denied Sanusi’s allegations, but has not responded until now to calls for an independent audit.
Sanusi, who was suspended by Jonathan on February 20 over allegations of misconduct, has rejected the claims against him, insisting he was removed for highlighting alleged widespread corruption in the oil and gas sector.
Former governor has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the president, the Attorney General and the Inspector General of police from giving effect to his purported suspension from office.
