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EFCC Interrogates Former NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari

EFCC Grills Former NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari Over Multi-Billion Dollar Refinery Spending

By Kamal Yalwa: ABUJA, NIGERIA – September 11, 2025 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday interrogated Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over the controversial spending of billions of dollars on Nigeria’s long-idle refineries. Kyari, who arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja early Wednesday morning, had his international passport confiscated and was still being questioned as of 8:30 p.m., sparking speculation that he could be detained overnight. At the centre of the investigation is over $2 billion disbursed for the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries, which continue to underperform despite years of public investment. According to EFCC sources, key focus areas include the $1.55 billion allocated for the Port Harcourt Refinery, $740.6 million for Kaduna Refinery, and $656.9 million for the Warri facility. Officials are also scrutinizing more than N4.8 trillion in operating costs reportedly incurred during Kyari’s leadership from 2019 to April 2025, despite the refineries running at minimal or no capacity. Contracts awarded during his tenure are also under review, as investigators try to trace funds allegedly misappropriated. While some former top executives are reported to have refunded portions of the funds voluntarily, Kyari has maintained his innocence and transparency in handling refinery projects. In a prior statement titled “Hard Questions, Honest Answers,” he said: “I have done my part; the EFCC must do theirs. When each of us does our duty – without fear or favour, with honour, respect and commitment – Nigeria moves forward.” Kyari’s invitation by the EFCC comes amid renewed public scrutiny of the nation’s oil sector and longstanding failures to restore refinery operations, despite more than $18 billion having been invested since 2010. Nigeria’s four refineries — two in Port Harcourt, and one each in Kaduna and Warri — have a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day but have operated far below capacity for over a decade. During Kyari’s tenure, the Port Harcourt Refinery was ceremoniously reopened in November 2024 after extensive repairs. However, operations were abruptly suspended just six months later, in May 2025, by his successor Bayo Ojulari, who cited unsustainable losses and serious technical setbacks. The EFCC noted that the current phase of the investigation will prioritize the forensic review of TAM-related expenditures before turning attention to what it described as “humongous contracts” approved during Kyari’s administration at NNPCL. The outcome of the probe could set a precedent for accountability in Nigeria’s oil sector, long plagued by allegations of waste, mismanagement, and corruption.

EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged N131.8m, $200,000 Fraud in Abuja

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, August 18, 2025, arraigned one Umar Abdullahi before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for fraud. Abdullahi, an Information and Communication Technology, ICT, consultant is being prosecuted on four-court charges, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud and money laundering to the tune of N131.8 million and $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). One of the charges reads: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, sometime between July 2024 and August 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept and transact cash payment of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) for allotment of shares in Multi Access Controls Limited, in excess of the Ten Million Naira threshold, without transacting through a financial institution, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 2 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.” Another reads: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, sometime in June 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N104,980,000.00 (One Hundred and Four Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) into Account Number: 2266267081, domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, from Aura Integrated Energy Resources Limited under the false pretence that the money was for procurement of telecommunication equipment and logistics for Nigerian Communications Commission staff, a pretence you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.” He pleaded “not guilty” to all charges, following which prosecution counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, urged the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending trial, noting that he had earlier jumped an administrative bail granted him by the EFCC, while the defence counsel, A.O. Agbonlahor, pleaded with the court for the defendant to be remanded in EFCC’s custody. Justice Nwite after listening to both counsel, ordered that Abdullahi be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja and adjourned the case till September 8, 2025 for commencement of trial. Abdullahi’s prosecution followed a petition by Alhaji Shehu Badamosi to the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, in which he alleged that the defendant approached him, claiming to have secured a contract with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and needed financing to the tune of N131.8m and $200,000 for its execution. The petitioner further claimed that the defendant after receiving the money from him became incommunicado, while all his efforts to recover his money from him, proved abortive.

EFCC to Arraign 23 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested Near Obasanjo Library

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign 23 of the 93 suspected internet fraudsters recently arrested at a hotel located near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The suspects are scheduled to appear before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges including impersonation, identity theft, and other cybercrime offences. According to the EFCC, the arraignment will be conducted in batches after profiling the individuals arrested during a pool party allegedly organised to celebrate proceeds of online fraud. Investigations indicate that the party was initially planned for two other venues before being moved to the hotel close to the OOPL in an apparent bid to avoid detection. Intelligence operatives reportedly trailed the suspects to the location. The anti-graft agency clarified that the operation did not target the former president’s facility, but focused solely on the suspects, many of whom have allegedly confessed to engaging in internet fraud. The EFCC added that the remaining suspects will be arraigned once ongoing investigations and profiling are concluded.

EFCC Arrests Former Sokoto Governor Tambuwal Over Alleged ₦189bn Fraudulent Withdrawals

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Abuja headquarters over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion. According to EFCC sources, the transactions, allegedly carried out during Tambuwal’s tenure, are suspected to be in clear violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The former governor reportedly arrived at the EFCC office around 11:30 a.m. on Monday and was ushered in to face a panel of interrogators over the alleged financial infractions. Investigators have described the withdrawals as a major breach of financial regulations. As of press time, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

EFCC Arrests Tambuwal Over Alleged Withdrawals of N189B

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Abuja headquarters. Tambuwal is being quizzed over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion, reportedly in clear breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. It was reliably gathered that the former governor arrived at the EFCC office around 11:30 a.m., where he was ushered in to face a panel of interrogators over the alleged financial infractions. The controversial withdrawals, said to have been made during his tenure, are being described by investigators as a significant violation of financial regulations. As of press time, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The development marks the latest in a series of high-profile corruption probes involving former public office holders.

Crime

NDLEA Nabs Notorious Drug Kingpin, Seizes Large Quantities of Narcotics in Nationwide Crackdown

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking, leading to the arrest of a 60-year-old cartel leader, Okpara Chigozie, who had evaded capture since 2019. The agency also intercepted international consignments concealed in food items, raided hotels distributing “party drugs,” and seized significant quantities of narcotics across multiple states. In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that Chigozie was arrested at his hideout on Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo, Lagos, following the interception of a white Toyota Sienna carrying his illicit cargo on Sunday, July 13, along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. “Okpara, who has been on the NDLEA wanted list since 2019, was arrested after 7.6kg of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine were discovered hidden in compartments of a space bus,” Babafemi said. The vehicle’s driver, Achebe Nnamdi (51), was also arrested, while a follow-up operation at Chigozie’s residence yielded an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine. Major Busts at Lagos Airport At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA operatives working with aviation security intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from a passenger, Omoregie Uyiosa, heading to Italy on Wednesday, July 16. On Thursday, July 17, another attempt to smuggle 1.7kg of cannabis (skunk) disguised in packs of Golden Morn cereal to Pakistan was foiled, leading to the arrest of Chioba Robert Uchenna. Raids and Arrests Across States This sweeping crackdown highlights the NDLEA’s aggressive push to dismantle major drug networks and intercept both domestic and international trafficking routes.

Court Jails Five Chinese for Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, secured the conviction and sentence of five Chinese for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos The suspects are: Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You), Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng and Lu Yi Liang. They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ conducted by EFCC operatives. They were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. One of the charges reads: “That you, Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You) sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourabe Court, wilfully caused to be accessed computer system for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024]”. They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them. However, during Tuesday’s sitting, they all changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty.” In view of this, the prosecution counsel, U.S Kyari, prayed the court to convict them as charged. All the defendants were sentenced to one year imprisonment, with a fine of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira). The judge also ordered that upon completion of their sentences, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, should ensure that they are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.

EFCC Submits Video to Prove Oyo-Ita Gave Confessional Statement Voluntarily

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented video evidence in court to support its claim that former Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, voluntarily wrote her confessional statement during a 2019 interrogation. The footage, submitted on June 30, 2025, during a trial-within-trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was introduced by EFCC’s lead witness, Chief Superintendent Hamma Adama Bello. He said the video counters allegations that the statement was extracted under duress. Oyo-Ita is standing trial alongside aides Ugbong Effiok and Garba Umar, and six companies, over alleged diversion of ₦3 billion through fictitious contracts and financial misconduct. The trial resumes on October 14 and 16 to determine the admissibility of the statement.