ABUJA, Nigeria — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating Mele Kyari, the former group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, over alleged financial misappropriation during his time at the helm of the state-owned energy company.
A senior source at the anti-graft agency confirmed that Kyari was invited for questioning and remains in EFCC custody as part of an ongoing probe into the management of funds earmarked for the maintenance of Nigeria’s three refineries.
“We’re grilling him as to alleged financial misappropriation regarding the maintenance of the three refineries when he was there,” the official told TheCable.
“It’s been an ongoing investigation, and we invited him, and he came. He is still with the EFCC.”
The investigation marks another chapter in the scrutiny of the NNPC under Kyari’s leadership.
In August, a federal high court in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the former executive.
The order was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex-parte motion brought by the EFCC, citing concerns over alleged fraudulent transactions.
Kyari’s removal from office came on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu announced a restructuring of the NNPC.
At the time, the president said the decision was necessary to achieve “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC.”
As part of the overhaul, Tinubu appointed Bayo Ojulari as the new group chief executive officer, with Ahmadu Musa Kida taking over as non-executive chairman, replacing Pius Akinyelure.
The EFCC’s focus on refinery rehabilitation contracts has widened in recent months.
On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the agency arrested Umar Isa, a former chief financial officer of the NNPC, in connection with an alleged $7.2 billion fraud linked to the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries.
Nigeria’s refineries have long been plagued by operational failures and corruption allegations, even as billions of dollars have been channelled into their maintenance.
The ongoing investigation into Kyari’s tenure is expected to shed further light on how these funds were managed and whether systemic abuses occurred.
Neither Kyari nor the NNPC has issued a public response to the latest development.
The EFCC has also declined to release further details, saying the inquiry remains active.
