EFCC Questions Ex-NNPCL GMD Mele Kyari Over Alleged Financial Misconduct

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure.

Kyari is currently at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to clarify issues surrounding financial transactions executed while he led the state-owned oil firm, sources within the commission said. “He is here with our investigators at the moment. This is all I can confirm for now,” a source added.

The EFCC had previously placed Kyari on its watch list in connection with a $7.2 billion refinery turnaround maintenance project. Recently, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered a temporary freeze on four bank accounts linked to him, pending further investigations.

Kyari, who headed NNPCL from 2019 until his replacement in July 2024, supervised reforms including the transition of the corporation into a limited liability company.

The EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment at the time of reporting.

Investigations continue amid concerns over alleged mismanagement of billions of dollars earmarked for Nigeria’s refineries.