I Did Not Say NNPC Withheld N10 Billion From Federation Account-Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has denied confirming that $10 Billion has

been withheld from the Federation Account by the Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, describing the publications in some domestic

media as “false and a distortion.”
A statement signed by Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati also said

at no time did the president confirmed any irregularities in NNPC.

The statement reads:
“Reports in some domestic media today which quoted President Goodluck

Jonathan as “confirming” in Amsterdam that the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC) wrongly withheld $10 Billion from the federation

account  are completely false and a total distortion of the President's

comments during his meeting with the Nigerian community in the

Netherlands.
“At no time during the well-attended reception did President Jonathan also

confirm any “irregularities” in the NNPC.
“Sensational reports in the media to that effect are reckless, mischievous

and unprofessional misrepresentations of the President's restatement to

the Nigerian community of the Federal Government's position on the

allegation that $20 Billion is “missing” from the NNPC or the Federation

Account, by reporters who were not at the event or even in Holland at all.

“President Jonathan's verifiable words while responding to questions from

members of the community on the allegation and other domestic issues were

clear and unambiguous.
“After asserting that allegation that various sums – $49.8 Billion, $12

Billion or $20 Billion – were missing are inconsistent and lacked

credence, the President's exact words were as follows:

“As at the time, the Finance Ministry was saying they had not been able to

reconcile only 10 billion dollars. There are issues in NNPC but we are on

it.”
“President Jonathan went on to say that to reassure Nigerians of  his

administration's continued commitment to openness, transparency and

probity in the aftermath of the unsubstantiated allegations, the Federal

Government had authorised a professional forensic audit of NNPC accounts

to clear the air.
“The Presidency deplores the mischievous and unethical distortion of his

comments in the media today.
“Once again, we urge the media to show greater regard for truth and

accuracy when reporting on the President.”