Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), is currently under intense interrogation at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. Kyari, who had previously been placed on a watchlist, arrived at the anti-graft agency's office around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. This development is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misappropriation, particularly concerning funds allocated for the maintenance of refineries in the country during his tenure.

Sources within the EFCC confirmed that Kyari is providing explanations on issues related to the management of these funds, including a prominent $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance project. Crack detectives from the commission are conducting the interrogation, seeking answers on financial and technical matters that arose during his leadership from 2019 until his replacement in April 2024 byPresident Bola Tinubu.

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The interrogation follows a significant legal action taken by the EFCC. Less than a month prior to his questioning, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Kyari. This order was issued after an ex-parte motion by the EFCC, which alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. Preliminary findings reportedly traced N661.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, to these accounts.

An affidavit by EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi stated that the probe originated from a petition filed on April 24 by a civic group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law. The agency alleged suspicious inflows from NNPCL and oil companies were disguised as donations for a book launch and funding for a non-governmental organization, with the accounts allegedly managed through Kyari’s relatives acting as fronts.

Kyari's removal by President Tinubu in April was part of a broader overhaul aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, and ensuring a more commercially viable NNPCL. Bashir Ojulari was appointed as the new NNPCL Group CEO, and Ahmadu Musa Kida as the non-executive chairman, replacing Pius Akinyelure. During Kyari’s tenure, the state-owned oil company notably transitioned into a limited liability company.

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This investigation forms part of a wider EFCC probe into the management of refinery rehabilitation funds, which has implicated at least 14 current and former NNPCL officials, including two other ex-CEOs. Reports indicate that over N80 billion has been traced to the personal accounts of a former refinery managing director. Notably, Umar Isa, a former chief financial officer (CFO) of the NNPC, was arrested on June 24 in connection with an alleged $7.2 billion fraud related to the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries.

Despite the mounting allegations, Kyari has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In May, he dismissed reports of his arrest over an alleged diversion of $2.9 billion for refinery rehabilitation as 'clear mischief' intended to damage his reputation, stating, 'I served with the fear of God, knowing fully well that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah.'