By Moh’d Lawal Maikudi
The Senate Committee on Local Content has directed Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe,
the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to appear before it over alleged financial irregularities linked to the Board’s investment in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
This follows allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) involving funds purportedly invested by the NCDMB in the refinery project.
The lawmakers resolved that the agency’s leadership must submit 30 copies of all relevant documents at least one week before their scheduled appearance after a meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The NCDMB Executive Secretary is scheduled to appear the committee on December 9, 2025.
Committee Chairman, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, noted that the NCDMB leadership had earlier failed to honour an invitation to address issues raised by the EFCC, including the declaration of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, as wanted over an alleged conspiracy and the alleged dishonest conversion of $14.86 million.
He emphasized that the funds in question were reported to have been invested by the Board for the establishment of a refinery, underscoring the seriousness of the matter.
Despite the ongoing investigations by anti-corruption agencies, the committee resolved to provide the Executive Secretary another opportunity to clarify the Board’s role.
The motion compelling the NCDMB leadership to appear was moved by Senator Agom Jarigbe.
