The House of Representatives has launched a probe into an alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil to China in 2015.
Last week, the lower legislative chamber passed a resolution to probe the alleged illegal sale oe crude oil as well as the insurance status of the cargo, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Ibrahim Isiaka, a lawmaker representing Ifo/Ewekoro federal constituency of Ogun state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the investigative hearing on Thursday, Mark Gbillah, chairman of the ad hoc committee, said the lawmakers will uncover the facts behind allegations which led to the loss of $2.4 billion to the country.
Gbillah said members of the committee will also travel to countries where the whistleblowers reside to get facts on the matter.
“Now the committee takes very seriously issues that have to do with allegations. We owe Nigerians the benefit of the doubt in line with our constitution. We owe them a duty of care to ensure that we unravel the facts of the matter before we start to make any assertions,” he said.
“It is going to be important for us to arrive at the conclusion and provide a substantive report that would be in the records and would determine whether or not these issues transpired and in carrying out our functions, one of the things we are going to need to do would be to interview those [that] made those allegations.
“Some of them have reached out to the committee alleging threat to their lives. They were intimidated at gunpoint allegedly. So, we will have to travel out of the country — to the United States, Mexico, and China. I believe considering the amount of borrowing our country is subjected to now $2.4 billion is money this country very seriously needs.
“So, it is not something that this house is taking lightly. The leadership of the house is in support of this committee arriving at the truth and the facts of this matter and it shows the seriousness of this house in addressing issues that have to do with the commonwealth of Nigerians.
“Even though these allegations were made about two years ago, you can see that this responsible house of the Nigerian people has still deemed it necessary to look into this matter even as we go about our electioneering campaigns. So, I mentioned the fact that we would have to because of the fears expressed by these individuals, there are other individuals who are in hiding but are reaching out to the committee.”
