By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, 4 November 2021:
The Attorney General / Public Prosecution Office announced yesterday that it had ordered the arrest of a board member of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), the Director of the Department of Occupational Safety and Security and Health at Akakus Oil Operations Company, and the employee in charge of the work of the Administrative Affairs Unit in the Security, Safety and Occupational Health Department at Akakus.
The Attorney General / Public Prosecution Office said the arrest was based on information provided by the Intelligence Service.
The three are accused of obtaining an unlawful benefit, causing serious damage to public funds, and misusing the office’s powers.
The Public Prosecution ordered their pretrial detention pending the case and until the completion of the investigation procedures.
The NOC board member was not named by the Attorney General/ Public Prosecutor, but his name has been widely circulated by Libyan media following a well-publicised arrest on 30 October.
Oil Minister Aoun supports law enforcements
Meanwhile, in a video clip posted on the Ministry’s social media page, Oil Minister Mohamed Aoun proactively commented on the arrest. He too did not mention the arrested NOC board member by name.
However, he said that the ministry is with the enforcement of laws and the measures taken to establish justice, integrity and protect the wealth of the Libyan state.
Aoun added that the Ministry of Oil and Gas is confident that all parties follow the required rules and legal procedures, noting that the ministry is always committed to applying the law as it is the right path that all bodies and institutions operating in the Libyan state must take.
The minister concluded his speech by saying that the ministry is confident that everyone who is accused will have the right to defend himself by legal means and as specified by the legislation in force, stressing that the ministry is working to enforce the laws and decisions regulating the work of the oil sector and its adherence and permanent readiness to maintain the proper conduct and safety of the oil sector’s procedures and the protection of public funds, and governance and transparency in the work of the sector.
A history between Aoun and the NOC
It will be recalled that there is an ongoing spat between the Oil Ministry and NOC, as the former tries to impose its political will on the later, while the later has found it difficult operating in the new environment after decades of operating without the oversight of a Ministry.
On a personal level, Aoun has now suspended and referred for administrative investigation NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla twice. Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba had to intervene. Strictly speaking, Sanalla is still suspended by Aoun, but he is still working and running the NOC. This includes the meeting of numerous foreign diplomats and representatives.
This arrest could be seen through the Aoun-Sanalla spat. On the other hand, it could be a standalone anti-corruption investigation investigated by the Intelligence Service.
A landmark accusation?
Either way, if the accusations stand, it would be a landmark in anti-corruption activity in Libya and the NOC board member would be one of the biggest positions to be charged.
The intelligence services working?
It would also indicate that Libya’s intelligence services are up and running a decade after the 2011 revolution that ended the Qaddafi regime. This would be a good sign that Libyan state institutions are returning.
NOC rejects unlawful detention of board member Shengheer at Mitiga airport | (libyaherald.com)
Aldabaiba’s Aoun-Sanalla crisis summit: Kiss and make up or slap on the wrist? | (libyaherald.com)
