According to a statement by the Nigerian finance ministry, obtained by the BBC, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has asked for urgent action with regard to an independent forensic audit of conflicting claims of unaccounted funds made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamdio Sanusi.
"My position on this has been clear from the start. The Ministry of Finance's reconciliation showed a shortfall of $10.8bn in NNPC remittances to the Federation account. After this, the conflicting claims continued with new figures such as $20bn being mentioned," Nigerian Finance Minister Dr Okonjo-Iweala, was quoted as saying.
"So since 13th February I have called for an independent forensic audit.
"President Goodluck Jonathan indeed announced last night that there will be an investigation into whether there are any funds missing from NNPC. He also indicated that the correct process needs to be followed in this investigation and I understand that the entity that has the proper authority to initiate such an investigation is the Auditor-General of the federation.
"I therefore want to see the truth from an investigation under the auspices of the Auditor-General, which in my view should be undertaken as a matter of extreme urgency by independent external auditor," she reportedly said.
This, according to BBC resembles a declaration of at least semi independence by the finance minister from President Jonathan, who has been accused of punishing the central bank governor for raising concerns about the allegedly missing oil billions, and is because she is concerned that Goodluck Jonathan, if left to his own devices, would not have initiated an independent probe of the allegedly missing billions.
Source: BBC
Title : Okonjo Iweala Puts Pressure on Jonathan, Admits That $10.8 Billion Is Missing
Description : According to a statement by the Nigerian finance ministry, obtained by the BBC, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Ec...