Mele Kyari
By Olamilekan Abayomi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure. Kyari arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, and was questioned by investigators about financial transactions linked to the $7.2 billion refinery turnaround maintenance program.
The EFCC is investigating Kyari’s role in the alleged misappropriation of billions of naira earmarked for refinery maintenance during his tenure. Specifically, investigators are probing how over $2 billion was spent on the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries, including $1.55 billion for the Port Harcourt Refinery, $740.6 million for Kaduna Refinery, and $656.9 million for Warri Refinery. They are also examining contracts awarded during Kyari’s tenure and how N4.8 trillion in operating costs was incurred despite the plants being largely idle.
Kyari, who headed the NNPCL from 2019 until April 2025, has consistently maintained that he has nothing to hide. In a statement, he emphasized that he served with the fear of God, knowing he would account for his actions before Allah. The EFCC’s investigation into Kyari forms part of a broader probe into the management of refinery rehabilitation funds, with at least 14 current and former NNPCL officials under scrutiny.
The anti-graft agency has also frozen four bank accounts linked to Kyari, following an application to the Federal High Court in Abuja. The accounts, which carry a total of N661,464,601.50 suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, were allegedly controlled and managed by Kyari through his family members acting as fronts. The court ordered a temporary freeze on the accounts for 30 days, with the option of renewal if necessary.
The EFCC’s inquiry follows years of failed attempts to revive Nigeria’s four state-run refineries, which have a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day but remain largely non-functional despite repeated repairs and over $18 billion spent since 2010.
