A coalition of 50 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have faulted the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, NNPCL over the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing.

The rights group under the auspices the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room argued that the deal was at variance with the President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

The group demanded for the sack and prosecution of the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, NNPCL, Engr Mele Kyari, within 7 days over alleged infractions.

The group in a petition alleged: “You, NNPCL GCEO, Mele Kyari, had told the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee that the acquisition of OVH Energy was properly done and it gave the NNPCL over 30 per cent control of the downstream sector with a profit of N18.4 billion in the first quarter of 2023, a position which has been disputed by industry players as not backed by any documentary evidence.

“It was gathered that the National oil company paid cash amounting to over $325.09 million (N140.559 billion) for the acquisition of Oando-branded retail stations and a reception jetty in Apapa, among other facilities with allegation trailing the acquisition that some of the acquired assets are alleged not to have belonged fully to OVH or licensed.

“The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room therefore calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to contain your excesses as the GCEO of NNPC Limited.

“Therefore, we are issuing a 7-day ultimatum to you, the GCEO of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, to resign from office or else we will storm the NNPC headquarters with over 500 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to protest against you.

“The assets acquired from the company, which operates Oando filling stations, also include a reception jetty with 240,000 metric tonnes monthly capacity and eight liquefied petroleum gas plants, three lube blending plants, three aviation depots, and 12 warehouses.

“But in June 2023, its investigation on the acquisition exposed the secret deals and the complicated ownership structure that left managerial control of NNPC Retail in the hands of OVH Energy Marketing.

“The report also exposed how OVH Energy Marketing only had about 94 stations and how over 100 stations were leased.

In addition, the report highlighted how Mr Stokman, an expatriate and former Chief Executive Officer, CEO, OVH Energy, emerged as the new Managing Director of NNPC Retail, a development that further compounded the structure of NNPC Retail.

“The report was submitted by the Hon Hassan Nalaraba-led ad hoc committee investigating the controversial acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing Limited’s downstream assets by NNPC Limited after the panel presented a report many lawmakers described as “suspicious and shabby.”

“The report was denied by members of the committee, who accused their chairman of failing to carry out a proper investigation as directed by the House but produced a report not signed by any member of the committee.

“Therefore, the committee, tasked with investigating the controversial deal, was relieved of its duties during the consideration of the report on the investigation. The task was subsequently transferred to the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) for a fresh investigation.”