N10.9 Billion Fuel Subsidy Fraud Rocks IPMAN

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, August 1st, 2016

…Allegation False –PRO, Danzaki

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The crises rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has resumed another dimension as the Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo led faction alleged ‎that about N10.9 billion meant for various transactions including fictitious fuel subsidy claims at the instance of the former national president of the association, Abdulkadir Aminu and other national leaders ‎is missing.

He said he has also reported to the security agencies as well as the anti-‎corruption agencies to investigate the fraud with the view of unravelling what he described as dirty deals by the leadership of the association during the fuel subsidy regime.

But the Chief Lawson Obasi led national Executive has described as false the allegation that the Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir embezzled the proceeds of petroleum subsidy claim amounting to over N10.9 billion.

Okoronkwo has alleged that Aminu in company of Mr. Tunji Adeniji, Mike Osatuyi, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, Chief Obasi Lawson and others have plotted to concealed a whooping N10.9 billion shady oil deal using IPMAN Investment Limited.

Following the allegation and subsequent report to the security agencies, the Nigeria Police has commenced ‎investigation into the alleged fraud.

The Police in a reference letter to IPMAN, a copy obtained by newsmen in Abuja, the Police requested to be furnished with further information and documents to enable the force to swing into full action.

The letter dated, 10the February, 2016 with reference number CR:

3000/X/PSFU/ADM/SMF/VOL.23/913, addressed ‎to the President, IPMAN, plot 2201 by Aso Radio, Katamkpe district, Cadastral zone, Abuja, and titles, Re-Case of Conspired Fraudulent practices signed by CP Anthony M. Ogbizi, Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos confirmed that the police has commenced investigation into the allegations.

The letter however, requested the IPMAN president to release the duo of Chief Obasi Lawson and Abdulkadir Aminu for interview with the Commissioner of Police, Police Special Fraud Unit, 13, Milverton Road, Ikoyi Lagos on February 23,

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Lawan Danzaki said the allegation is the handiwork of elements who are disenchanted with the current peace that has just returned to the association.

“Some individuals who are disenchanted with the emergence of Lawson Obasi as the National President, and also peace that has returned to IPMAN labeled allegations against some members of IPMAN, saying the IPMAN executives embezzled over N10 billion.

They also alleged that IPMAN property that situated opposite American Embassy in Abuja has been sold by Alh. Aminu Abdulkadir, the IPMAN BoT Chairman.

According to him, during the inauguration of the new executives of IPMAN the BoT Chairman handed over the original documents of that property to the new executives of IPMAN, charging them to ensure they build a befitting Secretariat for IPMAN.

“Although the case is still in Appeal Court, because someone is in court with IPMAN over the said property, the BoT Chairman handed the true copy of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and also the building plan to the new National Executive Council” he stated.

According to Danzaki, the BoT chairman also alleged that his accusers have been mounting pressure on him to bring the original documents of the land for them to sell it off, which he vehemently refused.

Danzaki challenged anybody who has any evidence of wrong doing in IPMAN to come forward with such information for appropriate actions, stressing that there is nothing like N10 billion subsidy claims.

But, Okoronkwo maintained that there was fraud stressing that N10.9 billion was paid into IMPAN Investment Company by the federal government as subsidy claim.

Okoronkwo alleged that the BoT which Abdulkadir claims to chair has been dissolved by a court in Port Harcourt.

“That BoT has been dissolved by a court in Port Harcourt, and we have reconstituted another BoT.

He maintained that, “during the subsidy regime I was the Vice President, we floated company where especially elected officers were directors, we contributed seed money, the evidence is there, so we floated IMPAN Investment Limited.

“Now government gave us corridor because of our needs to bring in product during the subsidy.

“Those products were claimed to have been brought into Nigeria. We did not see any. But IPMAN Investment subsidy claim is N10.9 billion. Then we the directors have been calling for a proper account without any action”, he stated.