In a dramatic turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently sacked Managing Directors of the Phttps://truetellsnigeria.com/efcc-arrests-sacked-refinery-mds-uncovers-billions-in-graft-probe/ort Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, along with several top officials, as part of a massive investigation into alleged mismanagement of funds earmarked for the rehabilitation of the refineries. The total amount under scrutiny is a staggering $2.9 billion.
The PUNCH newspaper reports that the EFCC is specifically probing 1.5billionallocatedtothePortHarcourtrefinery,1.5billionallocatedtothePortHarcourtrefinery,740 million released for the Kaduna refinery, and $656 million approved for the Warri refinery.
Sources within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) revealed that a jaw-dropping N80 billion (approximately $55 million USD) was discovered in the account of one of the sacked MDs.
The former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd is Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, while Efifia Chu served as the former Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd.
Speaking anonymously to The PUNCH, a senior EFCC source confirmed the arrests, stating that the action is part of an ongoing investigation into the billions of dollars released for the quick-fix maintenance of the three state-owned refineries.
“We are investigating the money that was released for the rehabilitation of all three refineries—money disbursed in recent times. All the principal officers within that time frame are being invited,” the source said. “Some have been arrested already, and we are still on the lookout for others. Nigerians are interested in seeing our refineries work. We are asking: where is the money, and what has happened to the refineries?”
A document obtained by The PUNCH from NNPCL, dated April 28, 2025, titled ‘Investigation Activities: Request for Information’, indicates that the probe by the EFCC extends to the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the national oil firm, Mele Kyari.
The EFCC document also contains the names of 13 other former senior executives of the NNPCL who are under investigation for misappropriation of funds. The arrests and ongoing investigation highlight the renewed commitment of the EFCC to tackling corruption within the oil and gas sector and ensuring accountability for the funds allocated to revitalize Nigeria’s critical refinery infrastructure. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.
No comments:
Post a Comment