The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently questioning Mele Kyari, the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over alleged financial misconduct related to a $7.2 billion refinery turnaround maintenance project. According to sources within the anti-graft agency, Kyari is being interviewed by investigators at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
The former NNPCL chief was reportedly invited to explain financial transactions worth billions of dollars during his tenure as head of the state-owned oil company. Kyari’s invitation comes as part of ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in the use of funds allocated to Nigeria’s refineries, which remain inactive despite repeated turnaround maintenance projects.
Kyari had earlier been placed on the EFCC’s watch list in connection with the controversial refinery programme. Recently, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to the former NNPCL chief, pending further investigations into alleged fraud. Kyari served as GMD of the NNPCL from 2019 until his replacement in July 2024, during which he oversaw reforms, including the transformation of the NNPC into a limited liability company.
The EFCC’s investigation into Kyari’s alleged financial misconduct is part of a broader probe into the management of Nigeria’s oil refineries. The country’s refineries have been plagued by inefficiency and corruption, resulting in significant financial losses. The EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment at the time of reporting.
The development highlights the ongoing efforts to tackle corruption and financial mismanagement in Nigeria’s oil sector. The investigation into Kyari’s alleged financial misconduct is a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s oil resources. As the investigation continues, it is expected that more details will emerge about the alleged financial irregularities and the actions taken by the EFCC to address them.
