The former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, voluntarily appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its headquarters in Abuja.
Kyari arrived at the EFCC office around 2:15 p.m. to respond to questions relating to his tenure as head of the national oil company.
According to EFCC sources, the former oil chief was invited to assist with an ongoing investigation into financial and technical activities during his time in office, particularly surrounding the controversial $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance project.
The anti-graft agency had earlier placed Kyari on its watchlist over his suspected role in the failed turnaround of Nigeria’s refineries, a project that gulped billions of dollars with little to no result, as all four state-owned refineries remain non-functional.
Adding to his troubles, a Federal High Court in Abuja recently ordered a temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Kyari. The court action followed allegations of fraud and suspicious financial transactions involving those accounts.
Though details of his meeting with EFCC officials have not yet been made public, insiders say Kyari is expected to provide explanations on the approvals, payments, and contracts awarded during the refineries’ rehabilitation process.
Mele Kyari served as GCEO of the NNPCL from July 2019 until his exit in early 2024, overseeing the transition of NNPC into a limited liability company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). While his leadership was praised for improving transparency in crude oil sales and fuel subsidy reform, it was also marred by unresolved issues surrounding refinery operations, fuel imports, and alleged corruption.
The EFCC, under its current leadership, has stepped up efforts to probe high-level officials accused of financial misconduct, particularly in the oil and gas sector — one of Nigeria’s most lucrative yet corruption-prone industries.
Kyari’s appearance at the EFCC comes amid growing public pressure for accountability in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources. The Commission is expected to make further disclosures as investigations progress.
