News Obiaks News

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said the prosecution of those who misappropriated the revenue of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation under the past administrations would soon commence. He stated this to assure Nigerians and the international community of his full commitment to the anti-corruption crusade, which was one of the major items banked upon during his campaigns prior to the Presidential election. He promised that his administration will never rest on its oars until the last person had been brought to book and the money stolen had been recovered.

He, however, was not specific on either when the trial will start or those who have been indicted. But in an earlier statement, the President had stated that the delay being seen in the trials of treasury looters is due to the nonavailability of the Attorney General and minister of justice. He said there would be no further delay once this individual has been appointed. He stated that the Attorney-General should spearhead Nigeria's prosecution against corruption. Nigerians are still awaiting the list of ministerial appointees and the president had assured earlier that the list would be made public by Wednesday of this new week.

Buhari spoke at a meeting he had with President Xi Jinping of China on the sidelines of the ongoing 70th United Nations General Assembly holding in New York. The President restated his determination to fully sanitise Nigeria’s oil industry and free it totally from corruption and shady deals. According to him, corruption is the bane of the Nigerian economy and that Nigeria would bounce back to live once corruption is killed in the oil sector as well as in every other sector of the Nigerian economy.

He said to achieve his aim, he had taken the necessary first step by appointing a new management team led by Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu for the NNPC. He added that the new management team had in turn embarked on further reorganisation of the firm. “The prosecution of those who misappropriated the NNPC’s revenue under past administrations will soon commence,” he simply said without giving further details. Buhari also thanked Jinping for China’s ongoing help in curbing crude oil theft from Nigeria. He specifically thanked him for the interception of shiploads of crude oil stolen from Nigeria, and which were to be sold and proceeds paid into private accounts.

“We know your stand on corruption, and we are grateful. Your continued cooperation in curbing oil theft from Nigeria will be appreciated,” Buhari told the Chinese leader. He also assured Jinping that under its leadership, the Nigerian military had been re-trained and re-equipped, and was now making steady gains against Boko Haram.

The Chinese President told Buhari that China, which is already involved in Nigeria in diverse areas like railway, airports, agriculture, and in the Mambilla hydro-power project, among others, will increase its investment in the country’s agricultural sector for the attainment of domestic food security. He also promised further Chinese investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, and more support for human capital development in the country.