Oshiomhole Slams NNPCL Over Alleged Employment For Officials’ Children, Calls Company ‘House of Thieves’

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has launched a scathing attack on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing the organisation as a “house of thieves” during a heated session of the Senate Public Accounts Committee.

The outspoken lawmaker made the remarks while the committee was conducting an investigation into alleged financial irregularities and disputed transactions involving trillions of naira within the national oil company.

Tension During Senate Hearing

The exchange reportedly occurred after a submission by former Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, Umar Aliya, who suggested that some influential individuals often seek employment opportunities for their children within the company.

Aliya’s comment appeared to trigger a strong reaction from Oshiomhole, who questioned why anyone would be eager to secure positions for their relatives in an organisation currently under scrutiny over allegations of financial misconduct.

The senator argued that the desire to place family members in the company could be linked to perceptions that NNPCL provides access to privileges and questionable benefits.

‘NNPCL Has a Reputation for Fraud’ — Oshiomhole

Expressing his frustration, Oshiomhole accused the company of lacking public credibility and alleged that its reputation had been damaged by recurring corruption allegations.

“I heard you saying that people want their children to be employed in NNPC. That is because it is a house of thieves and they want their children to benefit from it,” the senator said during the hearing.

He further challenged the former CFO’s remarks, insisting that the committee was engaged in a serious oversight exercise and not a routine administrative discussion.

“NNPC has no reputation; your reputation is for fraud. How can you sit down here and say people want their children employed in NNPC? So you think we are joking here?” he added.

Senate Continues Scrutiny of NNPCL Accounts

The Senate Public Accounts Committee has intensified its examination of the financial records and operations of NNPCL amid growing concerns over alleged discrepancies involving massive sums of public funds.

The committee has been questioning current and former officials of the company as part of efforts to determine whether due process was followed in various transactions carried out during previous administrations.

Recent hearings have generated significant public interest, particularly following the controversy surrounding former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari and the committee’s ongoing review of the company’s accounts.

Reactions Trail Oshiomhole’s Comments

Oshiomhole’s remarks have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating the state of accountability within public institutions and the oil sector.

While some users praised the senator for speaking forcefully during the hearing and demanding transparency, others argued that the allegations raised during the investigation should be established through evidence and due process.

The ongoing Senate probe is expected to continue in the coming weeks as lawmakers seek further explanations from former and serving officials of the national oil company regarding financial transactions currently under legislative review.

The investigation remains one of the most closely watched oversight exercises involving Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in recent years.