The Lawson Obasi-led Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Monday debunked the allegation that the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir, embezzled the proceeds of petroleum subsidy claim amounting to over N10.9 billion.
Recall that the Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo-led faction of IPMAN alleged that Abdulkadir, as head of the BoT, had collected N10.9 billion oil subsidy claim using IPMAN Investment Limited and did not import any fuel.
But, speaking to newsmen in Abuja while receiving leadership of Petroleum Tanker Drivers led by Comrade salmon oladiti , the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the association, Lawan Danzaki, said the allegation is the handiwork of elements who are disenchanted with the current peace that has just return to the association, describing it as false.
“Some individuals who are disenchanted with the emergence of Lawson Obasi as the National President, and also the peace that has returned to IPMAN levelled allegations against some members of IPMAN, saying these IPMAN executives embezzled over N10 billion. They also alleged that IPMAN property situated opposite American Embassy in Abuja has been sold by Alh. Aminu Abdulkadir. But during the inauguration of the new executives of IPMAN the BoT Chairman handed over the original documents of that property to the new executives of IPMAN, charging them to ensure they build a befitting Secretariat for IPMAN.
“Although IPMAN is in Appeal Court with someone the said property, the BoT Chairman handed the true copy of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and also the building plan to the new National Executive Council” he stated.
According to Danzaki, Abdulkadir also alleged that his accusers have been mounting pressure on him to bring the original documents of the land for them to sell it off, which he vehemently refused.
Danzaki challenged anybody who has any evidence of wrong doing in IPMAN to come forward with such information for appropriate actions, stressing that there is nothing like N10.9 billion subsidy claims.
The Okoronkwo faction had also maintained that the BoT which Adbulkadir claims to chair has been dissolved by a court in Port Harcourt.
“That BoT has been dissolved by a court in Port Harcourt, and we have reconstituted another BoT. During the subsidy regime I was the Vice President, and contributing the seed money, we floated IPMAN Investment Limited where elected officers were directors. Then government gave us corridor for us to bring in product during the subsidy era. Those products were claimed to have been brought into Nigeria. We did not see any. But IPMAN Investment subsidy claim was N10.9 billion. Then we the directors have been calling for a proper account but to no avail,” he said.
By Sunday Abah
