Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) amid an ongoing corruption investigation.
Kyari arrived at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja at about 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, where he is expected to answer questions on financial and technical issues linked to his tenure at the state oil firm.
The EFCC had earlier placed Kyari on its watch list following a probe into the controversial $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance project. The investigation centres on allegations of mismanagement, inflated contracts, and potential diversion of funds.
His appearance at the EFCC comes days after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts allegedly linked to him in connection with the case. The accounts were said to contain suspicious transactions now under scrutiny by investigators.
Kyari, who led the NNPCL during a turbulent period for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, has faced mounting criticism over the country’s inability to revive its moribund refineries despite billions of dollars reportedly spent on turnaround projects.
The EFCC has not yet released details of Wednesday’s interrogation, but sources suggest the questioning could span several days as investigators piece together evidence around refinery contracts and financial records.
Observers say the development marks one of the most high-profile corruption probes in Nigeria’s oil sector in recent years, with the potential to reshape the accountability landscape in Africa’s largest crude producer.
