By Anthony Oboh
The former Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Umar Ajiya, has defended the integrity of the company and its staff, insisting that neither the organisation nor its workers are involved in theft.
Ajiya made the remarks on Thursday during a session of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, which is investigating alleged misappropriation of funds within the national oil company.
His comments came in response to criticism from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, and had earlier described the NNPCL as a “house of thieves” over allegations of financial irregularities.
Addressing the committee, Ajiya rejected claims that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the incorporation and registration of the company, clarifying that the actual figure involved was ₦2.9 billion.
“We are not thieves. ₦2.9 billion was used to register NNPC, not ₦5.8 billion,” he said, adding that he had appeared before the committee repeatedly over the past five to six years to defend the company’s financial records.
He further insisted that no funds were missing during his tenure, stressing that the company has consistently maintained transparency in its reporting.
“I need to assure Mr Chairman and distinguished Senators present here today, and indeed all Nigerians, that there is no money missing. If money was actually missing in NNPC during our period, we would not have had the courage to publish audited accounts over the past 44 years,” Ajiya said.
According to him, the NNPCL has ensured that its audited financial statements are made public, submitted to the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, and published on its website to promote transparency and allow public scrutiny
