The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday detained Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over allegations of large-scale financial misappropriation.
Kyari was taken into custody at the commission’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, where he is being interrogated over billions of naira allegedly diverted from funds meant for Nigeria’s refinery maintenance. Sources confirmed that he voluntarily submitted himself after receiving an official summons.
According to EFCC officials, the former oil chief arrived at the agency’s premises around 2:15 p.m. and was immediately ushered in for questioning. Investigators are probing financial and technical transactions linked to the $7.2 billion refinery turnaround maintenance programme, a project that has faced longstanding scrutiny for poor delivery despite heavy funding.
“Kyari is in our office. He’s currently being interrogated by our investigators,” an EFCC source disclosed on Wednesday night, confirming his detention.
The development comes barely weeks after the EFCC placed Kyari on its watchlist amid intensifying allegations of corruption during his tenure as head of the NNPCL. His leadership period was marked by controversial decisions surrounding subsidy payments, refinery operations, and Nigeria’s mounting fuel import bills.
While details of the interrogation remain sketchy, EFCC insiders say the investigation is expected to widen to include top NNPCL officials and contractors linked to the refinery projects. The outcome of Kyari’s detention, analysts note, could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s oil sector reforms and ongoing anti-corruption drive.
As of press time, neither Kyari nor his representatives have issued a public statement on the matter.
