The NNPC Ltd read with utmost dismay, a report by an online platform Sahara Reporters alleging paying the sum of N2Bbn to ghost consultants and the theft of multi-billion Naira tax due to the Ogun State Government recently.

According to the press release duly signed and send to theforesight.com.ng in Lagos from the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Garba Deen Muhammad said the NNPC Ltd wishes to state that as a responsible corporate organization, it does not have or deal with ghost consultants.

At NNPC Ltd, the process of engaging consultants whenever the need arises is clear and verifiable and follow global best practices.

It is therefore unfortunate that for whatever reason, some media would make such a grievous allegation, mindless of the consequences of such actions. The claim of a missing N20Bn is absolutely false and baseless.

The NNPC Ltd therefore demands that  Sahara Reporters retracts the said publication immediately; and going forward, the platform should verify its facts before going to press.

The second component of the said unfortunate report is related to Ogun State Government claiming a back duty tax liability of about N18Bn, against an NNPC subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Ltd.

For clarity, PPMC had objected and challenged the claim through its Tax Consultant. Consequently, the Ogun State Government took the matter to court which is not unusual in business circles.

The matter is currently before the court and NNPC Ltd will prove its case accordingly.

In conclusion, NNPC Ltd strongly advises the said online publication to be mindful of the consequences of its actions before taking them.

For a matter that is already in court, as admitted by the online publication, it is sad that any medium can arrive at such subjudice conclusions as shown by the actions of the online medium.