The presidency has denied media reports quoting President Goodluck Jonathan as "confirming" in Amsterdam that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wrongly withheld $10 billion from the Federation Account.
A statement today by spokesman Reuben Abati described the reports as completely false and a total distortion of the President's comments during his meeting with the Nigerian community in the Netherlands.
“Sensational reports in the media to that effect are reckless, mischievous and unprofessional misrepresentations of the President's restatement to the Nigerian community of the Federal Government's position on the allegation that $20 Billion is "missing" from the NNPC or the Federation Account, by reporters who were not at the event or even in Holland at all.”
According to Mr. Abati, after asserting that allegation that various sums - $49.8 Billion, $12 Billion or $20 Billion - were missing are inconsistent and lacked credence, the President's exact words were as follows:
"As at the time, the Finance Ministry was saying they had not been able to reconcile only 10 billion dollars. There are issues in NNPC but we are on it."
He further stated that Mr. Jonathan reassured Nigerians of his administration's continued commitment to openness, transparency and probity in the aftermath of the unsubstantiated allegations, [and that] the Federal Government had authorized a professional forensic audit of NNPC accounts to clear the air.
“Once again, we urge the media to show greater regard for truth and accuracy when reporting on the President.”
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