Patrick Olinma, retired Executive Director of Total E&P Nigeria Limited and a key member of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited Board Audit Committee, is under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with alleged huge bribery, conspiracy and abuse of office.
The slush funds were allegedly used to buy choice properties, including a property belonging to a subsidiary firm, Total Nigeria Limited.
EFCC detectives have been investigating the matter since April 2021.
Insiders squealed to us that Total E&P Nigeria Limited was embarrassed by the bribery allegation, it directed Olinma, who was also on the board of NLNG as a Director, to proceed on retirement effective from July 31, 2021.
We gathered that EFCC is forging ahead with its investigation to rid the oil sector of bribery and corruption.
In a letter to Total E&P Nigeria Limited, the EFCC said;
“This commission is investigating an alleged case of conspiracy, bribery and abuse of office in which the need to seek for information from your office has become imperative.”
“Information at our disposal reveals that the above mentioned is an employee and a representative of your organization on the board of Nigeria LNG Limited.”
“In the light of the foregoing you are kindly requested to furnish the commission with Certified True Copies of the following information to enable us progress on the investigation: (a) Date of employment and details of Emolument package from inception of service till date; (b) Date of his appointment on the board of Nigeria LNG Limited and (c) Any other information that could assist the investigation
“This request is made pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (Establishment Act) 2004.”
Sources said that there have been attempts to cover up the case but the new Executive Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has ordered his investigators to get to the roots of the bribery.
A source said: “The EFCC will not drop the case but the issues at hand are in the interest of the development of our oil sector.”
“We are on the trail of how the proceeds of the bribery and abuse of office were diverted to buy choice assets even from their employer.”
“We are resolute to address the rot in the oil sector, especially by some staff of International Oil Companies.”
“There are concerns that some Nigerian staff of IOCs had been serving as agents to some of their bosses to launder funds.”
Sources said that the NLNG was uncomfortable that Olinma, who represented Total E&P Nigeria Limited, was implicated in such grave allegations, being that he was a prominent member in the NLNG Board Audit Committee that handles key governance matters.
Apart from asking for details on the Director, the board of NLNG specifically requested that Total should address bribe issues raised by a Whistleblower on the same Total Executive Director.
The Chairman of the Board of NLNG, HRH Edmund Daukoru, who is an ethical leader, said since Olinma is a Director nominated by Total on the Boards of NLNG and its subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited, the oil giant must come out clean.
A top source said: “Daukoru had written to Total stating that while the NLNG board will not blame Olinma yet, it won’t ignore the allegations.”
“The stern position of the board made Total to withdraw Patrick Olinma from NLNG as its representative and his eventual retirement.”
However, a former staff of Total E&P is now mocking Patrick Olinma on Facebook.
The ex-female staff, who identified herself as Daffe Enuma, wrote:
“You sacked me on the 31st day of July 2018 because I went to develop myself academically… and God sacked you or sent you on compulsory retirement as an Executive Director (whatever that means) on the 31st Day of July 2021 (the dates are not coincidental), due to professional misconduct unbecoming of … if you know you know. Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves,…for it is written, Vengeance is MINE, I will repay”, says the lord. God is in control… touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm.”