The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has been summoned by the House of Representatives committee investigating the barrels of illegal crude oil exported to global destinations from 2014 to date.
The committee is investigating the missing 48 million barrels of crude oil allegedly sold in China by some Nigerian officials.
The committee had earlier summoned Malami and Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed over the matter. Both of them, ignored the summons. The committee then issued another summons, noting that it may be forced to take action.
At the resumed session of the committee on Thursday, the Chairman, Mark Gbillah announced that Malami had written a letter stating that he would be appearing before the committee and cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Gbillah noted that Malami indicated in the letter that the Ministry of Justice was trying to put together a comprehensive response to the alleged sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil valued at over $2.4 billion.
He added that the committee would expect the attorney general to provide the required response and to also appear before the committee next Thursday.
Gbillah also stated that the finance minister has continued to ignore the summons but that the committee is still giving her the benefit of doubt.
“Like I already said, we are giving her the benefit of the doubt, we are not unmindful of the other powers we have and we are not afraid to exert them, and we will do so if the leeway we have provided is still neglected and not recognised by the honourable Minister of Finance,” Gbilah said
