Our reporter/ The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] on Saturday confirmed that it has commenced investigation into alleged mismanagement of funds and abuse of office by 14 officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), including two former chief executives, Mele Kyari and Abubakar Yar’Adua.
The investigation centers around the $2.896 billion allocated for refinery rehabilitation projects under their tenure, Port Harcourt Refinery: $1.56 billion, Kaduna Refinery $740.6 million and Warri Refinery $656.9 million.
Some of the key findings include discovery of a large sum of money in the accounts of one of the sacked managing directors, totalling about N80 billion, sparking further investigation and leading to the arrest of the recently sacked managing directors of all three refineries.
The investigation has raised concerns about the management of NNPCL and the refineries, with some experts questioning the transparency and effectiveness of the company’s operations.
In a letter dated April 28, 2025, addressed to the Group Managing Director of the firm, NNPCL, the EFCC requested a certified true copy of the emoluments and allowances of the affected persons, both former and current employees.
The letter, titled “Investigation Activities Request for Information,” with reference number CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/SDC.2/NNPC/VOL.1/698, read in part, “The Commission is investigating a case of Abuse of Office and Misappropriation of Funds in which the under-listed officials of your organisation featured.
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish certified true copies of their emoluments and allowances, including that of those who have retired and no longer work with your organisation.
The affected persons listed by the EFCC include a former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kolo Kyari; Ibrahim Onoja; Mustapha Magaji Sugungun; Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua; Isiaka Abdulrazak; Umar Ajiya; Dikko Ahmed; and Ademoye Adeniyi Jelili.
Others are Kayode Olusegun Adetokunbo, Efiok Michael Akpan, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama.
EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the probe, however, did not disclose further details.
“There are ongoing investigations into the funds released for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries,” Oyewale said in a terse statement on Saturday.
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