The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), in connection with an ongoing investigation into the multi-billion-naira rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries.
Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed on Wednesday that Kyari was invited to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he has been held for questioning.
The probe is reportedly centered on allegations of financial mismanagement, contract irregularities, and questionable expenditures tied to the federal government’s refinery turnaround maintenance projects.Focus of the ProbeNigeria has spent billions of dollars in the last two decades on refinery rehabilitation, with little or no tangible improvement in output.
Under Kyari’s leadership, the NNPC had overseen several contracts aimed at reviving the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. Despite repeated assurances of progress, the facilities have continued to operate below capacity, forcing the country to rely heavily on fuel imports.
The EFCC is said to be scrutinising both past and recent contracts, including payments to contractors, funding disbursements, and compliance with procurement regulations. Investigators are also examining whether due process was followed in awarding multi-billion-naira contracts to local and international firms.Wider ImplicationsKyari’s detention comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which is already under pressure from foreign exchange volatility, subsidy reforms, and the push for energy sector transparency.
His arrest could spark uncertainty within the NNPC, given his central role in the government’s petroleum industry reforms.This is not the first time the EFCC has investigated the oil sector. Previous probes into fuel subsidy fraud, oil swaps, and contract awards have led to high-profile arrests and prosecutions, though many have dragged on in court for years.
As of the time of reporting, neither the EFCC nor the NNPC has issued an official statement on Kyari’s detention. It remains unclear whether the arrest will lead to formal charges or if he will be released after questioning.Observers note that the development underscores renewed pressure on the government to show accountability in managing public resources, particularly in the petroleum sector.
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