Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has refuted claims by an online newspaper alleging he was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement released on Saturday, 3 May, 2025, Kyari described the report as “clear mischief and a calculated attempt by the newspaper and its sponsors to achieve a desired outcome, which only them know.”
Kyari, who served as NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive for over five years, emphasised his readiness to account for his stewardship, stating, “I served not only my country but also God. I am happy to account for my stewardship.”
He further noted that as a Muslim, he is prepared to face accountability, saying, “I must emphasise that I served with the fear of God knowing fully well… that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man.”
The former NNPCL chief revealed he is currently taking a “well-deserved rest” following the dissolution of the NNPCL management and board, where he served for 34 years, including 17 in management roles. “Having served the NNPC and the NNPCL for 34 years… I had little time for leave of even two weeks,” Kyari said, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve under Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Kyari’s statement comes amid intense scrutiny over alleged corruption in the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries — Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna — during his tenure. The EFCC is currently investigating the mismanagement of approximately $2.96 billion allocated for the refineries’ revamp, with reports indicating that the projects yielded little to no results.
The Port Harcourt refinery, for instance, reportedly consumed $1.56 billion, yet operates at under 40% capacity, while the Warri refinery, despite a $897.6 million investment, has failed to produce petrol since its supposed reopening in January 2025.
The EFCC has arrested former managing directors of the three refineries, along with other senior NNPCL officials, as part of the probe. Shockingly, one ex-MD was found to have accumulated N80 billion in personal bank accounts, prompting further investigations into financial discrepancies.
Kyari, alongside 13 other former NNPCL executives, including Abubakar Yar’Adua and Ibrahim Onoja, is also under scrutiny for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.
Addressing the media, Kyari urged caution against spreading unverified stories, warning that disinformation could harm Nigeria’s image among investors and the international community. “It is important to state that the resort to disinformation does not serve anyone’s purpose, the NNPCL or the country in general,” he said. He reassured his family and friends of his availability to respond to “all lawful queries.”
The EFCC’s ongoing investigation, coupled with public protests and petitions from civil society groups like the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, underscores the demand for transparency in NNPCL’s operations under Kyari’s leadership.
As the probe deepens, Nigerians await answers on the true state of the nation’s refineries and the handling of public funds.
Leave a Reply