Media practitioners in oil and gas producing areas of Nigeria have written the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ali Muhammed Zahra, managing director of National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), an NNPC subsidiary, over damning allegations of money laundering and abuse of office happening under his watch.

The letter was based on a Peoples Gazette article that revealed how NPDC was paying its domestic employees, including mechanics and electricians, in dollars in blatant violation of the CBN Act.

Contrary to federal rules that expressly specify that the naira “shall be legal tender in Nigeria at their face value for the payment of any amount,” electrical and mechanical engineers made at least $9,000 each month over a two-year period.

“We write to notify of a need investigate financial infractions committed by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) which is under the watch of Managing Director, Mr Ali Muhammed Zahra,” reads the letter by the association addressed to the ICPC chairman on June 1.

The media professionals emphasised that it was their civic obligation to alert anti-corruption authorities to alleged misconduct, especially in the oil development company.

“We shall be failing in our duties and responsibilities as patriotic citizens if we do not expose corruption,” the letter signed by lead investigator, Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe, stated.

The association prayed the ICPC to invite the management of Messrs Felam Energy Services & Olometropole Petroleum & Gas Limited, the two businesses that were awarded $28.6 million in two-year ceiling contracts.

“Judging by the irregularities plaguing the details and payment for the contracts, it can only be inferred that the procurement process was laden with irregularities and intent to commit the infraction hence we seek the ICPC to invite the management of the companies involved,” prayed the association of media practitioners in oil and gas producing areas of Nigeria.

“Conclusively, pursuant to Sections 27 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act LFN 2000, we humbly request that your commission should conduct an investigation and summon the Managing Director of the NPDC, Mr Ali Muhammed Zahra to give better clarification on the matter,” concluded the letter.