No fewer than twenty-three civil society organisations have called for the immediate suspension of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

The CSOs, in a petition dated August 5, 2024, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, also demanded the immediate reshuffling of Joint Committee Panel on Petroleum Resources to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation into the activities of the concerned lawmakers.

The civil groups cited corruption cum extortion allegations; blackmailing and sponsorship of faceless groups and media attacks, and mischievous acts and internal discord by the lawmakers for the call for their suspension from the respective positions.

They claim that the lawmakers reportedly demanded a payment of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) under the threat of calling for the sack of Mr. Farouk Ahmed, CEO of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Mr Mele Kyari, Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

While describing the alleged behavior as not only unethical but also criminal, the CSOs urged the Inspector General of Police to launch an investigation into the allegation and expose the lawmakers involved and bring them to book.

The petition reads, “We, the undersigned members of the Coalition of Civil Society Networks for Good Governance and Accountability (COCSNGGA), write to you with a sense of urgency and grave concern regarding the activities of Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), and Honourable Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives.

“We respectfully urge you to take immediate action to suspend these two members from their respective positions and to reshuffle the Joint Committee Panel on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream).

“It has come to our attention that some members of the committee have been allegedly blackmailing the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

“These lawmakers are reportedly demanding a payment of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) under the threat of calling for the sack of Mr. Farouk Ahmed, CEO of NMDPRA, and Mr. Mele Kyari, Group CEO of NNPCL.

“We implore the Inspector General of Police to launch an investigation into this allegation and expose the lawmakers involved in this act so that they can be brought to book.

“Tha behavior is not only unethical but also criminal. Such actions undermine the integrity of the House of Representatives and tarnish the image of our legislative body, it is imperative that these allegations are thoroughly investigated

“Furthermore, it has been revealed that Honourable Ugochinyere and Honourable Agbese have been sponsoring faceless groups to launch attacks against key figures in the petroleum sector and other lawmakers.

“These attacks, based on falsehoods and misinformation, have been aimed at Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Mr Mele Kyari, Honourable Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, Honourable Aliyu Wakili Boya, Honourable Ajilo Umar, and Honourable Billy Osawaru.

“These media attacks are not only damaging to the reputations of the individuals targeted but also serve to create unnecessary tension and discord within the House of Representatives. Such divisive tactics are detrimental to the smooth functioning of our legislative processes and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

“Given the serious nature of the allegations against Honourable Ugochinyere and Honourable Agbese, it is clear that the current Joint Committee Panel on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) cannot continue to operate with impartiality and integrity.

“We therefore call for an immediate reshuffling of this panel to ensure that the investigation into the petroleum sector is conducted in a fair and unbiased manner.

“Notice to the Speaker and House Members We believe it is crucial that the Speaker and all 359 members of the House of Representatives are made fully aware of the nefarious activities of Honourable Ugochinyere and Honourable Agbese.

“We are confident that the Speaker is not currently aware of the extent of these activities, and we trust that, once informed, you will take appropriate action to address these serious issues.

“We also wish to bring to your attention that Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere has been actively sowing discord within the House of Representatives. Specifically, he has succeeded in creating friction between Honourable Rotimi Akin, the House of Representatives Spokesperson, and Honourable Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson.

“This internal discord is a clear indication of Honourable Ugochinyere’s intent to destabilize the House for his own gain.

The demands of the CSOs include: “The immediate suspension of Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere and Honourable Philip Agbese from their respective positions pending a thorough investigation into the allegations against them.

“The immediate reshuffling of the Joint Committee Panel on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation.

“A comprehensive investigation into the activities of Honourable Ugochinyere and Honourable Agbese, including their alleged corruption, extortion, and sponsorship of faceless groups for media attacks.

“Implementation of measures to restore order and harmony within the House of Representatives, including addressing the internal discord sown by Honourable Ugochinyere.”

“We wish to emphasize that if these demands are not met, we will not hesitate to pursue legal action to ensure that justice is served.

“The integrity of our legislative process and the reputation of the House of Representatives must be upheld at all costs,” the CSOs added.