Nigeria Content Online

In a brilliant piece of investigative journalism, 234next
exposed an oil corruption scandal linked to the minister of Oil and Petroleum,
Diezeani Allison-Maduekwe. The nature of
the scam in itself is a Nigerian cliché; collection of bribes for access to
services and resources, in this case, the right to import oil. It plays out like a broken
record.

A bogus company manned by the unassuming Mr. Rufai, is set-up to
collect payments from oil marketers, like Conoil, Oando e.t.c to the tune
of $8 per metric tonne, and then funnel the funds upwards. Perhaps, what’s most shocking about these allegations are rumors that the bribes go
from Mr. Rufai, to Allison-Maduekwe are channeled towards the President,
Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign.
The funds total a haul of about N2.2 billion.

I continue to be alarmed at the impunity with which these
scams are conducted. To me, it shows one of two things; firstly,
that our lawmakers live above the law. One would think in light of recent
EFCC activities, and in a democratic government, such thinking would have
ebbed. The second, and perhaps more dangerous scenario, is that our
lawmakers are so incompetent, they cannot do the due diligence necessary
to plan and execute a proper scam. This is most evident is how easily
accessible to Mr. Rufai was to reporters, and the close degree of
separation between the bogus company and the oil ministry. In reality, if these
allegations are true, then it will probably prove to be a combination of
the above two points- of a blatant disregard for the justice system and
managerial incompetence.

We have had similar exposes air out the dirty laundry of
leaders in the past. How many times have we seen the initial public
outcry for justice and accountability become muffled by an ineffective
justice system. Enter exhibit-A: video evidence that captures the face of
corruption. Certainly even our justice system cannot botch this case with
evidence of corruption so glaring. Having said that, there is still work to be
done to prove a solid link between Rufai and Allison-Maduekwe and perhaps
Aso Rock.

If Allison-Maduekwe is indeed innocent, she must react
swiftly to investigate this scam and aid that the perpetuators are
brought to justice. The credibility of the most lucrative ministry
in Nigeria and indeed the presidency is being called into question. For
the president, this news comes out at an unfortunate time, with the
elections barely two weeks away and PDP suffering humbling losses at the
parliamentary elections. If the uproar catches on among voters, then
maybe there’s a bit of bad luck for Mr. Goodluck in the horizon.