OVH Energy Probe: Reps fume over absence of Kyari, Ahmed

The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee investigating the acquisition of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had its proceedings stalled following the failure of the company’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, to appear before it.

Kyari, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, was last week summoned by the committee to shed more light on the controversial deal.

However, at the resumption of the hearing on Monday, Kyari sent the Executive Vice President (Downstream), Yemi Adetunji, to stand in for him, while Soji Soloye represented Ahmed of NMDPRA. The lawmakers, in reaction, rejected both representatives demanding that Kyari and Ahmed be present, while stating that the two gentlemen lacked the locus to act on behalf of their principals at the hearing.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abubakar Na’laraba (APC, Nasarawa), asked the duo if they could speak on behalf of their principals, to which they answered “no.”

“Do you have what it takes to speak for them in this public hearing? Can you provide us with all the information required? If you can, then we will proceed because we need representatives who can speak on their behalf. Are you ready to answer questions on their behalf?” Rep. Na’laraba asked.

Following their responses, the chairman ruled that the hearing could not proceed just as he lamented that the panel was behind schedule.

“The time allocated to conclude and submit this report is four weeks. Unfortunately, we are far behind schedule despite the extension of the House recess. We still feel the need to continue or to progress with this investigation,” he said.

Consequently, the committee resolved to hold a closed-door engagement with NNPC Limited representatives to re-schedule a date for the NNPCL and NMDPRA

bosses to appear.

Recall that the NNPCL, in October 2022, acquired OVH Energy Marketing Limited’s downstream assets to add to what it reported was over 350 petrol stations portfolio.