Anti-graft Agency Grills Mele Kyari

Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari, on Wednesday, appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja for questioning over a multi-billion-dollar refinery maintenance project.

Kyari arrived at the EFCC headquarters at exactly 2:15 p.m., following an official invitation to clarify what sources described as “financial and technical issues” linked to his tenure at the state-owned oil company.

EFCC sources confirmed the incident last night. They said the former NNPCL boss was interrogated about the controversial $7.2 billion turnaround maintenance project for the refineries. This deal has faced years of public criticism and allegations of gross mismanagement.

The development came just days after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered a temporary freeze of four bank accounts allegedly linked to Kyari over suspected fraud and financial impropriety. The EFCC had placed him on its watchlist, which heightened scrutiny of his stewardship.

While details of Wednesday’s session remained sketchy, analysts say Kyari’s appearance signalled the EFCC’s renewed determination to pursue high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, a sector long regarded as the backbone of the nation’s economy but equally dogged by scandals.

Kyari was placed on the EFCC’s watch list in connection with a $7.2 billion refinery’s turnaround maintenance project.

Kyari, who served as GMD of the NNPCL from 2019 until his replacement in July 2024, oversaw a period of some reforms, including the transition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation into a limited liability company.

However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale could not be reached to confirm or deny the story.