EFCC Probes Kyari, 13 Others Over $2.9bn Refinery Funds
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a probe into the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and 13 other ex-senior officials over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of $2.896 billion meant for refinery rehabilitation.
In a letter dated April 28, 2025, and addressed to the current NNPCL Managing Director, the EFCC requested certified true copies of emoluments and allowances for the indicted officials, some of whom are now retired.
Those named include Abubakar Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ibrahim Onoja, Ademoye Jelili, Mustapha Sugungun, Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama.
The probe centres on the controversial spending on the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, which received $1.56 billion, $657 million, and $740.7 million respectively. Despite the huge sums, the refineries remain largely non-functional.
Sources disclosed that former managing directors of the three state-owned refineries have been arrested in connection with the scandal.
Ibrahim Onoja and Efifia Chu are among those being questioned over the diversion of funds allocated for turnaround maintenance.
Reports indicate that the Warri refinery, which resumed operations in late 2024, shut down again in January 2025 due to a fault in its Crude Distillation Unit.
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It has yet to produce petrol despite its 125,000 barrels per day capacity. Only diesel and kerosene have been produced, with no fuel lifting recorded since the relaunch.
At the Port Harcourt refinery, which reportedly gulped $1.5 billion for rehabilitation, only the Crude Distillation Unit is functional.
High-value product units like the catalytic crackers and hydrocrackers remain idle, contradicting claims made by Mele Kyari during his tenure.
Energy analyst Kelvin Emmanuel criticised the recommissioning as a “charade,” stating the infrastructure was never truly ready. Industry unions are also restless.
Warri refinery staff are threatening a strike from May 5 over poor welfare and unfulfilled employment promises dating back to 2015.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have both called for full transparency in the investigation.
An internal NNPCL memo confirms the EFCC’s demand for documents, as the probe intensifies under the new management that recently dismissed several top executives, including Bala Wunti, former head of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services.
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.
