KEY POINTS
- NNPC chief Bayo Ojulari dismissed bribery claims as “false and malicious.”
- He said he has instructed lawyers to pursue possible legal action.
- Allegations come as Nigeria’s state oil firm faces pressure over governance.
The head of Nigeria’s state oil company, NNPC, Bayo Ojulari has acted quickly to refute allegations that he paid bribes to President Bola Tinubu’s aides, calling the reports untrue and threatening legal action against those involved.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, called the claim that he gave $1.5 million to two of Tinubu’s top security guards in order to gain access to the president “false, ludicrous, and malicious.”
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the executive said he was both “scandalised and amused” by the report, which he described as the handiwork of people intent on undermining the leadership of Africa’s biggest oil producer.
“This is nothing but a calculated smear campaign,” Ojulari said. “It is clear the authors of this gibberish do not understand what $1.5 million means. The claims were not backed by evidence, nor do I, as NNPC GCEO, require the permission of anyone to see the president.”
Allegations spark pushback as NNPC chief signals legal fight
The blog that initially published the story has a reputation for inaccurate reporting, Ojulari, who took over as head of the state oil giant earlier this year, emphasized. At a crucial juncture for Nigeria’s energy sector, he charged the outlet with purposefully disseminating false information to mislead the public and undermine trust in the company’s leadership.
“My consolation is that the publisher is notorious for fiction. But Nigeria is a country of laws, and freedom of speech must not become freedom to defame,” he said. The executive confirmed he has instructed lawyers to explore all available legal remedies, underscoring his insistence that there must be consequences for such actions.
According to the contentious article, which was released by SaharaReporters on Sunday, Ojulari paid Tinubu’s chief security officer, Adegboyega Fasasi, and his chief personal security officer, Usman Shugaba. The assertion was not backed up by any evidence.
The incident highlights the difficulties facing the state oil company’s reputation as it implements reforms and faces criticism for its governance and transparency. After years of criticism for corruption and inefficiency, NNPC is currently attempting to reestablish itself as a commercially driven energy company.
