Purported Arrest of former PPMC Boss, Handiwork of Detractors, Says Group

Kunle Adewale

The widespread publication of the purported arrest of the former Managing Director of the Petroleum Products and Marketing Company (PPMC), Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been described as a campaign of calumny by detractors, envious of the giant strides and achievements of the former PPMC boss.

According to the Young Professional Alliance for Change (YPAC), some mischief makers are uncomfortable with the strides recorded by Mrs. Nnanmdi-Ogbue in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation from her days as the General Manager, Board Matters and Management Committee Department (BMMC) in the Corporate Secretariat and Legal Division (CSLD).

According to Mr. Chukwudi Ifediora, the General Secretary of the Group, Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue was invited by the EFCC to clarify certain operational issues which she promptly honoured and was never arrested as she returned home after throwing light on the issue for which she was invited.

Ifediora said: “Without doubt, Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue is one of the shining light of the NNPC and she was very conscious of her duties and discharged them creditably. In fact, she was appointed the Managing Director of PPMC based on her pedigree in NNPC.

“The truth of the matter is that she was invited and she naturally honored the invitation since she has nothing to hide. Moreover, she is one of the proponents of change in NNPC and her style of administration is still being spoken of in glowing terms in PPMC till tomorrow.”

Addressing the allegation that Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue acquired some property worth N1.2 billion with the proceeds of corruption, the Young Professional Alliance for Change clarified that the said property was rented, a fact which is verifiable, adding that the cost of the property was nowhere near the N1.2 billion “being bandied about by the some detractors who were bent on bringing her down.”

Buttressing the group’s claim, a top stakeholder in the Petroleum sector who would not want to be named said that he was shocked at the allegations against the former PPMC MD.

He said: “If you look at the expertise, professionalism and pedigree of Mrs. Nnamdi Ogbue, you would agree with me that she was a right peg in a round hole. However, the challenge in Nigeria, like most Third world countries is that, some people would frown at you if you choose be different.

“She is a process-minded person and she brought this to fore in PPMC but some people never liked it. I am sure you are aware that she invited the EFCC to investigate the role of some stakeholders in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry in the artificially induced fuel crisis late last year.

“Naturally, these oil cabals resorted to maligning her in some section of the Media because of her unwavering stance on due process, probity and best practices in the conduct of the company’s businesses. Tell me, why would anyone want to blame her for the current fuel crisis when we, especially key players in the downstream sector know what is wrong with the system.

“The fact that she has been recalled and made MD NNPC Retail has shown that the government believes in her capabilities and professionalism and I am sure she would never be deterred by detractors because she is focused on leaving indelible imprints in the downstream sector.”