The Anti-Corruption Fee (ACC) has cleared Nationwide Petroleum Company of Namibia (Namcor) suspended managing director Immanuel Mulunga of felony intent for a fee of N$100 million for an oil block in Angola.
The anti-graft company went a step additional and stated Mulunga acted in one of the best curiosity of the state-owned enterprise, in addition to the nation.
Mulunga was suspended in April for allegedly leaking info to the media and submitting courtroom papers that defended the nationwide oil firm’s finance govt, Jennifer Hamukwaya.
He was additionally suspended for an unauthorised fee of N$100 million for an oil block in Angola.
In accordance with a abstract of investigation and findings, ACC director common Paulus Noa stated there isn’t a proof to show felony intention in opposition to Mulunga.
“The managing director (MD) was not given approval by the board (of administrators) when he authorised the switch of the cash to Sungara Energies Ltd. He, nonetheless, did so within the curiosity of Namcor and the nation, after the board was consulted and saved on deferring the discussions and choice on the matter,” Noa stated.
The fee was a matter by which Mulunga needed to make a tough choice to safeguard the contract and keep away from monetary loss to Namcor and the nation.
Noa stated through the ACC’s investigations, Namcor board chairperson Jennifer Comalie indicated in her personal evaluation that Mulunga’s motion was a breach of delegation of authority.
He stated Comalie highlighted that Mulunga didn’t act with felony or malicious intent, and he or she additionally confirmed that the whole deposit paid by Namcor was paid to Sonangol, and the minister of mines and vitality was knowledgeable concerning the improvement of the oil block deal.
The ACC boss additionally stated Namcor deputy chairperson Tim Ekandjo’s sworn assertion confirmed Comalie’s in lots of materials respects.
“He (Ekandjo) confirmed that the board had authorised Namcor’s participation within the Sonangol oil block deal via a three way partnership between Namcor, E&P, Sequa and Petrolog, who then fashioned Sungara Energies Ltd.
“The board handed a decision to delegate the MD to be Namcor’s consultant on [the] Sungara three way partnership,” Noa stated.
Noa stated Ekandjo additionally indicated that the board resolved to authorise Mulunga as Namcor’s consultant to enter and execute the sale and buy settlement and signing of each doc and enterprise required in respect of the sale and buy settlement.
APPROVAL
Noa alleged that Ekandjo additionally confirmed that the board authorised the preliminary US$10 million (N$177 million) fairness contribution to Sonangol via Sungara.
In accordance with Noa, Ekandjo stated Mulunga approached the Namcor board to approve the extra US$6,7 million (N$118m) to hold the opposite companions on the three way partnership in August 2022.
“The board declined to debate the matter on a spherical robin platform and finally convened conferences after the due date set for a full deposit fee to Sonangol,” Noa stated.
He added that Mulunga had already instructed the finance and administration govt to pay the extra cash to Sungara Energies Ltd, whereas ready for the board’s approval.
Noa stated regardless of a number of conferences, the board couldn’t approve the extra fee. The board was equally not in a authorized place to demand the cash again from Sonangol, as a result of Namcor offers with the three way partnership however not with Sonangol.
“The deputy chairperson additionally expressed his opinion that the MD acted within the curiosity of Namcor as a result of he made efforts to hunt board approval for the additional fee and demonstrated its significance when it comes to saving the deal, and the way the failure to pay may harm Namcor’s fame and that of Namibia, had Sungara breached the contract.
Mulunga was additionally clear to Sungara Energies Ltd, that they needed to watch for the board’s approval earlier than they launched the funds to Sonangol, nonetheless, the opposite administrators on the three way partnership took benefit of the chance and paid the funds to Sonangol,” Noa stated.
When it comes to whether or not Ekandjo noticed any felony or malicious intent from Mulunga’s conduct, Noa stated Ekandjo allegedly famous that Mulunga “acted in one of the best curiosity of Namcor and that of the nation, seeing the huge advantages of the deal”.
Comalie and Mulunga didn’t reply to textual content messages despatched to them on the time of going to print yesterday.
Supply: namibian
