Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) late Wednesday night after being questioned over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure. He was grilled at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja regarding suspicious financial transactions linked to his leadership of the state-owned oil giant.
The investigation centered on:
- Alleged Diversion of Funds: Kyari was questioned about the alleged diversion of funds meant for Nigeria’s refinery maintenance, specifically the $7.2 billion refinery turnaround maintenance program.
- Abuse of Office and Money Laundering: The EFCC froze four bank accounts linked to Kyari in August over allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. The accounts in question are Jaiz Bank accounts belonging to Kyari and the Guwori Community Development Foundation.
- Investigation Background: The probe into Kyari’s leadership has been ongoing since April 2025, triggered by petitions from civil society organizations and concerned citizens accusing him of misappropriation, fraud, and abuse of office.
Kyari had previously denied any wrongdoing, dismissing reports of his arrest over alleged diversion of $2.9 billion for refinery rehabilitation as “clear mischief” aimed at damaging his reputation. The EFCC’s investigation is part of a broader probe into the management of refinery rehabilitation funds, with at least 14 current and former NNPCL officials under scrutiny.
