Missing $20billion: Federal Government authorises forensic audit of NNPC

The federal government has authorised a forensic audit of the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a terse statement yesterday which announced the president's directive on the forensic audit of the NNPC's accounts, said: "In keeping with its avowed commitment to full transparency, openness and accountability in governmental affairs, the federal government has authorised the engagement of reputable international firms for the recommended forensic audit of NNPC accounts.”

Jonathan's directive came against the backdrop of a lack of clarity over who will supervise the forensic audit.

Shortly after the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, suggested the forensic audit of the NNPC's accounts to get to the root of Sanusi's allegation, the Senate Committee on Finance had announced its decision to take over the exercise.

Abati did not indicate which foreign firms will handle the audit.