ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials have set up a four-man committee of crack detectives to probe all of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation's (NNPC) accounts.  

With the NNPC regarded as the most corrupt agency in Nigeria because it is the country's cash cow, it is feared that billions of dollars may have been laundered through the corporation. It is now likely that after an intensive audit, the EFCC may bring charges against former minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. 

Apparently, the new committee is headed by a superintendent of police, who was seconded to the commission and the other three members were pioneer EFCC civilian operatives with a high capacity for investigation. Last week, it was revealed that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan purchased three mobile stages, costing a whopping $6.9m, using NNPC funds and due process was not followed in the allocation of the money. 

Besides the latest allegation, a group called Crusader for Good Governance, had petitioned the EFCC accusing the former petroleum minister of squandering million of dollars of public funds to charter private jets. In addition, the petitioners accused her of spending $300,000 on an average international trip. 

One EFCC operative, said: “I think the commission has commenced investigation into this Diezani issue. It is not just about inviting her, the commission has set up a four-man team of crack detectives to investigate her operations in the NNPC. 

“The terms of reference of the committee include to look into all the NNPC accounts which were under the supervision of Mrs Alison-Madueke. The committee has since commenced work and I think a very senior police officer, a police superintendent, is leading the other operatives in the probe of Diezani and multiple accounts of the NNPC