By Olalekan Adetayo
Published: Monday, 23 Jul 2007

A human rights organisation, Campaign for Democracy, had in 2006 petitioned the former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani, that although 450,000 barrel per day of crude oil were allocated to the NNPC to be refined for local consumption, however all the refineries in the country as at the time could only refine 150,000 barrel daily.

Specifically, the CD cited as a constitutional breach ”the N300bn shady deal in the NNPC when 450,000 barrel per day of crude oil were allocated to NNPC to be refined for local consumption whereas all the refineries in the country could only refine 150,000 barrel per day.”

The organisation, in the petition by its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; and Secretary, Mr. Solomon Sobade, further alleged that the sale of the balance of 300,000 barrel per day could not be properly accounted for.

This and many other allegations were what the CD compiled as constitutional breaches by the Executive arm of government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and forwarded to Nnamani.

The then Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari, as well as the chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau were also copied.

The ICPC, in its response, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, said it could only look into the NNPC‘s case as other constitutional breaches mentioned in the petition did not fall under the purview of the commission‘s enabling act, the ICPC Act 2000.

In the reply by Ibrahim A. Garba on behalf of the commission‘s chairman and dated April 26, 2007, the ICPC said, ”Only the allegation that NNPC is being allocated 450, 000 barrels of crude oil and not accounting for 300,000 barrels out of this number points to a probable breach of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.

”The commission is therefore giving it serious consideration. While commending you for your interest in ensuring a better and more decent Nigeria, please accept the assurances of the Hon. Chairman‘s highest regards and esteem.”

Joe-Odumakin told our correspondent that she took delivery of the ICPC‘s response on Wednesday.

She recalled that her organisation‘s role in the country and enthroning democracy.

She regretted that the situation in the country as at last year when the CD wrote the petition was an aberration and far from the type of democracy envisaged by those who sacrificed for an end to military rule.