Mutiger N7.7 billion scandal: NCDMB boss, he should step down or face the mass protest

• The network for the transparency and reform of the oil sector (NOSTR) has the NCDMB boss Engr. Felix Ogbe to step down over alleged N7.7 -billion scandal
• The group accused OGBE, non -authorized payments to private advice, contract splitting and wasteful expenditure for foreign training
• NOSTR has asked President Tinubu to intervene and warn of street protests if no measures are taken

Abuja, FCT – A group of civil society that focuses on transparency in the oil sector Nigeria has the executive secretary of the Nigerian content development and surveillance committee (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatola Ogbe, to withdraw in Abuja due to allegations of unauthorized payments of 7.7 billion N or mass protests.

The network for the transparency and reform of the oil sector (NOSTR) described the alleged payments in a declaration signed by its president, Ambassador Charles Abakpa, as a betrayal of public trust.

Alleged illegal payments to the private company

According to NOTR, OGBE has approved payments to a private company without securing the approval by the federal apprenticeship (FEC), a prerequisite for Nigerian procurement laws. The payments reported by the deputy financial director of the Board of Directors, Fatima Bashir Mohammed, should recover deductions of the general book general of the Federation (OAGF) from the Nigerian content development fund.

“This is a scandal of monumental dimensions,” said Abakpa.

“Felix Ogbe has to step aside immediately to enable an independent examination. We give him 14 days.”

Nostr threatens protests

Nostr warned that the failure to withdraw within the defined time frame would lead to mass mobilization and street protests in the federal capital.

The group accused the leadership of misconduct by OGBE, including the split -in contract, to avoid procurement thresholds, not authorized appointments and questionable expenses for foreign training.

“The attempt to justify this looting under the pretext of the consultation is not only ridiculous, but insults the intelligence of the Nigerians,” said Abakpa.

NOSTR condemns alleged luxury training abroad

The group also quoted a document that allegedly shows that the board was approved over 580 million n for a five -day training in London. According to reports, the funds have treated Estacodes, logistics and allowances for board members and 15 stakeholders in the financial sector.

“At a time when ordinary Nigerians cannot afford a meal, the NCDMB leadership falls to London. This is malice in high places,” said Abakpa.

He also claimed that important appointments within the finance department, including that of the incumbent financial director and the incumbent General Manager of Finance and Accounts, were carried out exclusively at the discretion of OGBE without adequate state approval.

“This accuses Red flags of the internal accountability within the board and proposes an inner circle that was built for exploitation, not for transparency,” he said.

He also accused OGBE of orchestrating contractual items to avoid procurement laws and found that the overall payment exceeds the limit permitted by the Ministerial Tender Board.

“These are not just administrative injuries – they are criminal acts and have to be treated as such,” added Abakpa.

Nostr asks Tinubu to intervene

Nostr asked President Bola Tinubu to act quickly and described the situation as a test for the government's commitment to combat corruption.

“If no measures are taken within two weeks, we will go to Abuja's street from a peaceful protest and stay there until OGBE is removed and a complete investigation is being removed,” said Abakpa under the recent suspension of the former humanitarian minister of mentality Betta Edu as a precedence case.

“The Nigerians are fed up with being robbed in daylight. This is not just a demand for resignation – it is a demand for justice,” he added.

The NCDMB still has to react to the allegations.

NPA replaces air for contract prices

In another report, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) gave a company rejection of the latest reports in which the organization of the organization of large -scale financial misconduct and discretion is accused.

The authority described the allegations that the misunderstandings of billions of Naira claimed as unfounded, misleading and without substance.

In a detailed explanation published on Sunday, January 11, 2025, the NPA replied to various aspects of the report and claimed that its business activities were carried out under the examination of several federal authorities.

Source: Legit.ng