The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds and abuse of office involving Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), along with 13 other current and former senior officials of the corporation.
The probe centers on the disbursement of approximately $2.96 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s three major refineries—Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Specifically, the EFCC is examining the utilization of $1.56 billion for the Port Harcourt refinery, $740 million for the Kaduna refinery, and $657 million for the Warri refinery.
In a letter dated April 28, 2025, addressed to the current NNPCL Managing Director, the EFCC requested certified records of salaries, emoluments, and allowances for the officials under investigation. The list includes former executives such as Abubakar Yar’Adua, Ibrahim Onoja, Mustafa Sugungun, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, and others.
Preliminary findings have reportedly uncovered substantial sums in multiple bank accounts linked to some of the former refinery heads, with one account allegedly holding N80 billion. These revelations have intensified scrutiny over the management of funds intended for refinery rehabilitation.
The investigation follows a recent overhaul of NNPCL’s leadership structure, including the dismissal of refinery managing directors and other senior officials. The EFCC’s actions underscore a broader effort to address corruption and ensure accountability within Nigeria’s oil sector.
