However, according to a report doing the rounds on Pointblanknews website; “Revelations have emerged on how the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, President Mohammadu Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, Sarki Auwalu, shared almost $100million bribe money from the sales of the 57 marginal fields.Others allegedly involved in the rackets are President Buhari’s Personal Assistant, Sabiu Yusuf aka Tunde, a Senior Special Assistant, Domestic to the President, Sarki Abba and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote.
Sources familiar with the deal told Pointblanknews.com that while some of the marginal fields were shared amongst Buhari’s aides, his cronies and that of the Minister of State, Petroleum, the larger part of it were sold to people who were willing and able to pay bribe money ranging from $750,000.00 to $1million and more.
Wale Tinubu of Oando allegedly paid $20million in bribe to win the bid for Egbolom, an onshore (Swamp) asset, located in the Central Niger Delta, which has the highest estimated Ultimate Recoverable (2P) Reserves of 85 million barrels, a volume that is over 30% higher than the second largest field, which is in the prolific south east shallow water in the Niger Delta.
Also, Dr. Leemon Ikpea of Lee Engineering allegedly paid $2.5million to be awarded a marginal field.
Investigations by Pointblanknews.com revealed that one Idaere Ogan, popularly called Ambassador, is the front used by Sylva to collect bribes from the marginal field bidders.
“Sylva used Mr Idaere Ogan as his front to collect bribes of $750k-$1million per field. Mr Idaere Ogan is popularly known as Ambassador, a nick name,” a source who does not want to be named but familiar with the deal told Pointblanknews.com.
Sources in the oil industry told Pointblanknews.com that the process leading to the award of the 57 marginal field licenses is the worst in history as it took no cognizance of professional competence and interests of the oil-bearing communities.
CREDIT: TheCapital.ng