Nigerian anti-graft agency probes 2.9 billion USD refinery scandal, follows N80 billion on dismissed MD

The Nigerian Anti-Graft agency launched the EFCC a large examination of a Refinery fund scandal of $ 2.9 billion, which is connected to the dismissed MD of an important refinery.

The RAID is part of a more comprehensive corruption examination in fraudulent activities, including bloated contracts, embezzlement and money laundering that relate to operations in the state refineries.

Several NNPCL executives, including the former GCEO Mele Kyari, are intensively checked.

An EFCC officer said “We are investigating the money that has been released for the rehabilitation of all three refineries – money that has been paid recently. All main officers within this time frame are invited.

“Some have already been arrested and we are still looking for others. The Nigerians are interested in the fact that our refineries work. We ask: Where is the money and what happened to the refineries?“”

The arrest was necessary by the failed attempts by the company to revive the refineries of Port Harcourt and Warri despite significant financial investments after reports on serious underperformance.

The Warri -Raffinerie then closed again within one month, citing security concerns.

The former managing director of Port Harcourt Raffining Company is Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, while Efifia Chu headed the Warriraffinerie and the Petrochemian company

Remarkably, over 11.3 trillion has been spent since 2010 without a refinery with full capacity.

During the term of Mele Kyari, 2.9 billion US dollars were assigned for the rehabilitation of the refinery in order to reduce the dependence on imported oil products and increase local sophistication capacity.

The investment with 1.5 billion US dollars for the Port Harcourt -Raffinerie, 740 million US dollars for the Kaduna Raffinery and 656 million US dollars for the Warraffinerie was said to be badly managed.

The agency has asked NNPCL to provide certified copies of the emoluments and allowances for the listed officials, including pensioners.

Additionally, they've asked for the confirmation of 13 formers senior officials' Names, Including: Abubakar Yar'adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ademoye Jelili, Mustapha Sugungun, Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde, Babatunde, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya and Desmond Inyama.

The Nigerian Senate has also set up an investigation committee to carry out a comprehensive forensic examination of all refinery editions.