No fewer than 14 officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), including former chief executives Mele Kyari and Abubakar Yar’Adua, are under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged misappropriation of funds and abuse of office, according to a letter addressed to the NNPCL.
Dated April 28, 2025, the letter, addressed to the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, requested a certified true copy of the emoluments and allowances of the implicated individuals, both current and former employees.
The document, titled “Investigation Activities Request for Information” and bearing reference number CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/SDC.2/NNPC/VOL.1/698, stated, *“The Commission is investigating a case of Abuse of Office and Misappropriation of Funds in which the under-listed officials of your organisation featured.
In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish certified true copies of their emoluments and allowances, including that of those who have retired and no longer work with your organisation.”
The officials named in the letter include former Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kolo Kyari, Ibrahim Onoja, Mustapha Magaji Sugungun, Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, and Ademoye Adeniyi Jelili. Others listed are Kayode Olusegun Adetokunbo, Efiok Michael Akpan, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama.
EFCC Confirms Probe
The investigation is tied to funds earmarked for rehabilitating the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the probe in a statement to Channels TV but declined to provide further details, stating, “There are ongoing investigations into the funds released for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries.”