The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it cannot honour freedom of information (FOI) requests because it is not a public corporation.

Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria, had written an FOI concerning fuel importation data.

Falana said Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources, had directed the NNPC and DPR to supply him the information.

“While PEF and DPR have said that they are not in a position to address the issues raised in the letter, the NNPC group managing director, Dr Baru has refused to comply with the directive of the minister.”

In a letter written on behalf of the corporation by Omale O.B. Solicitors, it said it does not fall under the purview of the freedom of information act.

“Please be informed that our client doesn’t fall under the purview of the freedom of information (FOI) Act, 2011,” the letter by the solicitors read.

“The provision of the act particularly section 31 thereof is clear and unambiguous as to the meaning of public institution.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the section provides as follows: public institution means any legislative, executive, judicial, administrative or advisory body of the government including boards, bureau, committees, or commissions of the state and any subsidiary body of those bodies including but not limited to committees, and sub-committees which are supported in whole or in part by public funds or which expends public funds and private bodies providing public services performing public function or utilizing public funds.

“Our client is neither a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative or advisory body of government of Nigeria.

“It is a body established by the law to manage the commercial interests of Nigeria in the oil and gas sector and conduct trade therein. It cannot therefore by any stretch of imagination be brought within the definition of public institution under the act.”

O.B. Omale, who signed the letter on behalf of the firm said the NNPC has received judicial endorsements on this position in several cases.

NNPC said even if it would qualify as a public institution, the information requested for is not within the purview of the act as it involves trade secrets, non-disclosure agreement and third parties.

It said the information does not serve any public interest in its opinion and thus cannot be granted.


http://petrobarometer.thecable.ng/2018/06/04/nnpc-rejects-foi-request-says-it-is-not-a-public-institution/

Lalasticlala, what have you to say on this?

It's ONLY when these clowns are uprooted next year that we will realize that Diezani is a saint when compared with how these people had raped NNPC...

I totally disagree with NNPC. It is a public institution coming under the purview of the Act. That is why it can be supervised by the National Assembly.

Sad,

How does an institution that is WHOLLY OWNED by the Federal Republic of Nigeria superintended by elected officers who are answerable to the People of Nigeria, get off hiding its finances from its employers?




https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/25b-nnpc-scam-nigerians-can-now-see-hypocrisy-called-anti-corruption-fight-pdp/

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/fuel-subsidy-at-n774-million-daily-says-nnpc-boss/

http://sweetcrudereports.com/2017/11/19/nnpcs-opaque-transactions-rubbish-reform-oil-sector/

Time to test this in court.

NNPC is the most public institution in Nigeria. Anything to perpetuate stealing. High time we privatized it

sarrki, madridguy, buhariguy and other BMC crew, does opacity like this not encourage and embolden corruption and the perpetrators?

Afonjas

When did NNPC become a private institutions? Cause as at last check the organisation has all the trappings of all public institutions in nigeria characterized with tribalism and massive corruption

Nigerian's yearn and long for positive changes... but only from a negative leader

The only thing yet to be sold is the common man

Nigeria has turned into another thing. Just imagine a country where the president and his appointee choose the law to obey and the one not to obey. Someone talked about Nigeria being a BANANA REPUBLIC while the other said that Nigeria is ZOO REPUBLIC and I can now relate with their opinions

It is the northern oligarchy institution. Baru is right. May thunder finish the whole family of those that brought this government to power.

They have privatized it themselves... Imagine.

Wonders really shall never end!

So, NNPC is no longer a public institution!

If private, please who are the owners!

Chai........

They sell crude and use part of the proceeds to buy PMS as sole importers, which they claim the landing cost is more than the pump price and finally dip their hands once more into our national purse, withdraw our common wealth and pay subsidy to themselves. Is this government not wonderful

desmond2pk:
It is the northern oligarchy institution. Baru is right. May thunder finish the whole family of those that brought this government to power.

You don't have anything reasonable to say. Instead of you to scroll down and read comments by those who have, you didn't, but had to resort to cursing imaginary people. Just for the sake of likes from your co-travellers.

erico2k2:

Even you, what did you end up saying?

I corrected him, and you're still asking what I ended up saying. Is the correction not enough comment on its own?!

ok o...
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this country self need to be privatized....

Very contradictory​ explanation. Where Buhari is, there is bound to be disobedience and disregard for the rule of law...

You can imagine!

And Kachikwu was arguing on Channels TV last week that all their documents are available for public scrutiny not knowing that Baru is now in charge NOT him

I think removing Kachikwu from the position of MD of NNPC was one of the terrible decisions Buhari made

ebuk4real:
It's ONLY when these clowns are uprooted next year that we will realize that Diezani is a saint when compared with how these people raped NNPC...

na you go tire

Lawyers are one of the causes of naija problems....defending the indefensible!

I feel so much pity for people that voted this govt expecting it to fight corruption

No wonder, NNPC has been nicknamed as the four towers of corruption in Nigeria.

SoNature:
You can imagine!

And Kachikwu was arguing on Channels TV last week that all their documents are available for public scrutiny not knowing that Baru is now in charge NOT him

I think removing Kachikwu from the position of MD of NNPC was one of the terrible decisions Buhari made

terrible decisions Kwa... it's one of the best decisions buhari made for himself. replacing kachikwu with a criminal like himself so that they can both loot infinitely.

If it was really a terrible decision, he can still reverse it. but he won't. why? because he's looting!

Any wonder the corruption of the NNPC does not have an end