President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to establish an independent judicial panel of inquiry to investigate allegations of high-level corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPC) and the World Bank’s operations in Nigeria.
This call was made by the pro-democracy group Journalists For Democracy Rights (JODER), which emphasized the need for the panel to comprise individuals of proven integrity. JODER stated that it is crucial for the panel to earn public respect to effectively address the corruption issues plaguing the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, signed by spokesperson Akinwale Kasali, the group identified corruption as a significant barrier to Nigeria’s development and a catalyst for violence and extremism in various regions.
JODER submitted a letter to the President, highlighting the severity of the illicit activities associated with the NNPC and World Bank, which have tarnished Nigeria’s international reputation. The organization called on Tinubu to inspire confidence among local and international observers by tackling these issues head-on.
Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, recently revealed that Nigerian World Bank officials reportedly take 40% from loans acquired by Nigeria, while some National Assembly members demand bribes from these loans. She noted that ministers are entitled to 5% of the loan amounts.
JODER also criticized the World Bank officials—both Nigerian and European—claiming their objective is to keep Nigeria as a satellite state, hindering its development under the guise of assistance.
Regarding the oil and gas sector, the group referenced comments from the chairman of Dangote Refinery, who alleged that certain NNPC officials have set up refineries in Malta, potentially undermining Nigeria’s oil production and stifling local industry growth.
JODER concluded by describing the revelations concerning the World Bank and NNPC as the “biggest scam in African recent history.”
