According to PUNCH NEWSPAPER, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, as well as several high-ranking officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over suspected financial wrongdoing in the multi-billion-dollar rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries.
Operations at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have been severely underwhelming, running at minimal capacity or halting soon after reopening. Despite official claims that the plants were operational, investigations showed little to no actual fuel production, casting doubt on the transparency of the rehabilitation process. An EFCC document obtained by reporters indicates that the investigation also involves former NNPCL Group CEO Mele Kyari and 13 other senior executives. They are under scrutiny for alleged abuse of power and mismanagement of public funds related to the refineries’ refurbishment.
As the probe continues, there is increasing pressure on the government to ensure accountability and implement strong measures to tackle systemic failures in Nigeria’s oil industry.