Reps probe alleged money laundering petitions against NNPC EVP

The House of Representatives on Monday commenced preliminary investigations into petitions alleging money laundering and abuse of office against the Executive Vice President (Downstream) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Limited), Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, as well as regulatory concerns surrounding gas distribution licences issued to NIPCO Plc.

The House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has constituted two separate sub-committees to examine the petitions, with one of the panels given seven days to investigate the allegations against Dagazau and submit its findings for consideration.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, disclosed this during the technical briefing marking the conclusion of Downstream Week 2026.

He explained that the investigations were at the preliminary stage, adding that the sub-committees would examine the issues raised by the petitioners and submit their reports to the main committee to determine the appropriate next steps.

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One of the petitions seeks an investigation into gas distribution licences issued to NIPCO Plc by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), covering Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun States, as well as the Lagos and Lekki Free Trade Zones.

The petitioners are demanding the suspension and cancellation of the licences, while also requesting a public hearing to examine the circumstances surrounding their issuance. To investigate the matter, the committee appointed Hon. Peter Aniekwe as chairman of the sub-committee, with Hon. Shehu Dalhatu as deputy chairman.

The second petition contains allegations of money laundering and abuse of office against Dagazau, who serves as NNPCL’s Executive Vice President, Downstream. The Committee has appointed Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Al-Mustapha to head the investigative sub-committee, with Hon. Amobi Ogah as deputy chairman. The panel has seven days to complete its preliminary investigation and report back to the main committee.

Hon. Ugochinyere, however, cautioned against interpreting the commencement of the investigations as an indication that the allegations had been established, stressing that the committee had yet to reach any conclusion on either petition.

“These are allegations, and the Committee has reached no conclusion on them. All parties will be given a full and fair opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The committee chairman reaffirmed the House’s commitment to accountability, transparency and regulatory integrity in the downstream petroleum sector, noting that complaints concerning the conduct of industry operators and public officials would receive appropriate legislative attention.

He added that the petitions would be handled in line with the Committee’s constitutional and legislative oversight responsibilities, established procedures and the principles of fairness and due process.

According to him, the findings of the preliminary investigations would guide the Committee in determining whether further legislative action was necessary.