EFCC Grills Ex-NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari On $7.2bn Refinery Funds
Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, was on Wednesday grilled by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged diversion of $7.2 billion meant for refinery rehabilitation.
Kyari, who had earlier been placed on the commission’s watch list, arrived at EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 2:30 pm before he was taken in for questioning.
Sources confirmed to Daily Trust that he was invited to explain how funds allocated for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries were managed during his tenure as NNPCL GCEO.
“Yes, he’s in our office. He was invited to provide explanations on how some funds earmarked for the country’s refineries were expended during his time as GCEO. That’s all I know for now,” a source said.
The source added that Kyari may be granted administrative bail only if investigators are satisfied with his responses.
OSUN DEFENDER recalls that a Federal High Court in Abuja had, in August, frozen four bank accounts linked to Kyari following an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC. The accounts, domiciled in Jaiz Bank, were linked to Kyari and a community development foundation.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order for 30 days, noting that the funds were being investigated for conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Kyari, who was removed by President Bola Tinubu in April and replaced by Bashir Ojulari, had been out of the country since his sack, reportedly shuttling between Europe, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
Investigations show that between 2019 and 2025, when Kyari served as GCEO, some refineries were rehabilitated and commissioned but shut down again after a few months.
Meanwhile, EFCC sources disclosed that Kyari and some of his associates may be arraigned on September 23 when Justice Nwite is expected to receive an update on the case.
In May, the EFCC arrested former managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries over alleged mismanagement of $2.95 billion allocated for the facilities.
The breakdown shows Port Harcourt refinery received $1.55bn, Kaduna refinery $740m, and Warri refinery $656m.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
