From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna
A former military governor of Kaduna state, Col. Abubakar Umar, has faulted the decision of the Senate Committee on Upstream Oil Sector to conduct its investigation into the controversial Malabu oil deal in camera.
Describing the investigation as long overdue, Umar in a press statement in Kaduna yesterday noted that any confidential conduct of the probe would further upset what he called an already dubious matter.
According to the statement, “thankfully, the Senate has decided to conduct a long-overdue investigation in order to determine the truth behind the acquisition, transfers and payments relating to CPL 245(Oil Prospecting License), between the Federal Government and Malabu Oil Company on one hand and the Federal Government and Shell on the other hand.
“Though the decision itself comes only after public pressure and the diplomatic interests in the matter refused to relent. It is nevertheless commendable that a public enquiry is ordered into a transaction that stands all logic on its head...”