NIPCO Plc is facing petitions seeking the cancellation of its gas distribution licences held in parts of the south-west while EVP, Downstream, of the NNPCL, Dr Mumuni Dagazau,
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has constituted two sub-committees to investigate separate petitions seeking the cancellation of gas distribution licences held by NIPCO Plc and alleging money laundering and abuse of office against a senior executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The committee’s chairman, Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, disclosed this on Monday during the technical briefing marking the end of Downstream Week 2026 in Abuja.
Ugochinyere said the committee considered both petitions serious enough to warrant urgent attention, adding that the sub-committees would conduct preliminary investigations and submit their findings to the main committee.
The first petition seeks an investigation, suspension and cancellation of gas distribution licences issued to NIPCO Plc by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The licences cover Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states, as well as the Lagos and Lekki Free Trade Zones.
The petitioners have also requested a public hearing to examine the circumstances surrounding the licences.
The House committee has appointed Rep. Peter Aniekwe as chairman of the sub-committee investigating the petition, while Rep. Shehu Dalhatu will serve as deputy chairman.
The sub-committee is expected to conduct a preliminary investigation and report its findings to the main committee for further consideration.
Reps Probe Allegations Against NNPCL Executive
The second petition concerns Dr Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice President (Downstream) of NNPC Limited, who has been accused by the petitioners of money laundering and abuse of office.
To investigate the allegations, the committee appointed Rep. Aliyu Ibrahim Al-Mustapha as chairman of the sub-committee, with Rep. Amobi Ogah serving as deputy chairman.
The sub-committee has been given seven days to conduct a preliminary investigation and submit its report to the main committee.
The investigation is expected to establish the issues raised in the petition and determine the next steps for the committee.
Ugochinyere stressed that the committee had not reached any conclusion on either petition, emphasising that the allegations remained unproven.
“These are allegations, and the committee has reached no conclusion on them. All parties will be given a full and fair opportunity to be heard,” he said.
He, however, maintained that the committee would examine complaints relating to the integrity of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The chairman assured Nigerians that the committee would communicate the outcome of its investigations when the process is concluded.
As of the time of the briefing, neither NIPCO Plc nor Dr. Dagazau had publicly responded to the petitions.
