Transaction facilitators involved in multibillion dollar crude oil and petroleum transactions linked to CANAF Petrochemical Refineries Incorporated and MKRT Metals USA, Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the United States Embassy in Abuja, demanding the payment of long overdue commissions allegedly owed to them.
The protesters, led by managing director of Nupe A2Z Oill and Gas Nigeria Limited, Head of Transactions and consultant to CANAF, Mohammed Abubakar, called on U.S. President Donald Trump and the American government to intervene in what they described as persistent delays in the settlement of their financial entitlements, despite claims that the American company involved had already fulfilled its payment obligations to the Nigerian government.
Abubakar said the commissions arose from the successful facilitation of transactions involving the sourcing and supply of Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) and other petroleum products through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
He said the transactions, valued in billions of dollars, were executed with the understanding that the designated facilitators would receive agreed commissions upon completion.
“The American company has paid. The Nigerian government has received payment. Yet, our commissions have remained unpaid despite repeated assurances and several postponements,” Abubakar told journalists during the demonstration.
He noted that the prolonged delay had left the facilitators with no option but to intensify efforts to seek redress, adding that the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of the U.S. government to what he described as an unjust withholding of legitimate earnings.
“Our demand is simple, we want what is rightfully ours. We do not want any further postponement. That is why we are appealing directly to the President of the United States and relevant authorities to help ensure that justice is done,” he said.
The protesting group includes representatives of Nupe A2Z Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited, identified as one of the mandate consultants in the transactions. Also present at the protest were Squadron Leader Ishaya Bawa (Rtd.) and Dr. Mrs. Bawa, who travelled from Portugal in solidarity with the facilitators.