From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Niger Delta Professionals Forum has dismissed as “baseless, malicious and politically motivated,” recent allegations against the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Adedapo Segun, describing them as an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
In a statement on Tuesday by its spokesman, Omeiza Ogumah, the Forum faulted a press release credited to a group identifying itself as “Arewa Youths,” which called for Segun’s sack and prosecution over alleged mismanagement in refinery rehabilitation and the OVH Energy acquisition.
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“We find these allegations to be entirely without merit, grossly misleading, and clearly driven by ulterior motives rather than facts,” the Forum said.
It stressed that Segun has not been indicted by any investigative body, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in relation to the matters raised, noting that his name does not appear on the EFCC’s list of persons under investigation.
“This omission is not an oversight, as mischievously claimed, but rather a reflection of the absence of any basis to implicate him,” the statement added.
The group noted that during his tenure as Executive Vice President, Downstream, Segun operated within the strict confines of due process, corporate governance and transparency, subjecting all transactions to board approvals, statutory audits and regulatory compliance reviews.
On the OVH Energy acquisition, the Forum said the process was a strategic business decision undertaken by the NNPCL management and approved by relevant oversight bodies, stressing that the ongoing legislative review “is a normal accountability mechanism and does not imply wrongdoing by any official, much less the current CFO.”
Urging the public to disregard the allegations, it warned against “trial by press statement” and the weaponisation of unverified claims for political or personal gain.
“The oil and gas sector should not be reduced to a battleground for political skirmishes,” the statement read. “The Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, Adedapo Segun, is a seasoned and highly competent professional with a proven track record. We commend his commitment to excellence and adherence to due process in discharging his duties.”
It urged everyone to allow the CFO to focus fully on his responsibilities in the national interest.
The post Niger Delta Forum defends NNPCL CFO, says corruption allegations malicious appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
