by Janet Johnson

The forensic audit report initiated on the alleged missing funds belonging to the federation account in NNPC custody was submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Monday, February 2, by Uyi Akpata, the country senior partner of the Price Water House Coopers, PWC.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, had alleged that $30 billion was missing from the Excess Crude Account.

The allegations came on the wake of the claim by a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Lamido Sanusi Lamido stating that $20 billion was missing from the Federation Account.

The Presidency had authorized the engagement of reputable international firms to carry out the forensic audit of the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, on March 12 2014 through a statement issued by the president’s spokesman, Reuben Abati.

The presidency had however, made it clear through the statement that Sanusi’s suspension had nothing to do with an attempt to cover up his allegation that funds due to the Federation Account were unaccounted for by the NNPC.

The audit firm had earlier prepared an interim report, which Jonathan said he rejected as the subject matter needed to be completely dealt with.

While receiving the report, Jonathan said it will be moved to the Auditor General’s table, within the week, where key highlights will further be made public as the media will want to know the key findings vis a vis the Senate findings and figures being bandied around.

He noted that as part of the recommendation made, the petroleum industry bill will correct the lapses in the sector.

“Indeed you mentioned the issue of reform in the sector, everybody knows that the sector needs to be reformed, by the time we go through the petroleum industry bill and pass it into a law, most of this lapses will be corrected and the misconception will be properly addressed,” he said.

Kolapo Olapoju