The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested several recently sacked managing directors and top officials of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries in connection with the alleged mismanagement of $2.9 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of the state-owned facilities.
Among those arrested are the former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, Mr. Ibrahim Onoja; former MD of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd, Efifia Chu; and former MD of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd, Mustafa Sugungun.
Investigations by the anti-graft agency revealed shocking financial discrepancies, including the discovery of N80 billion in a personal account belonging to one of the former MDs. The revelation comes amid rising public scrutiny over the continuous non-performance of Nigeria’s refineries despite repeated claims of rehabilitation and huge financial allocations.
According to exclusive findings, the EFCC is examining the allocation and potential diversion of:
• $1.5 billion earmarked for the Port Harcourt refinery,
• $740 million for the Kaduna refinery, and
• $656 million for the Warri refinery.
A senior EFCC official, speaking under the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the arrests were part of a wider investigation targeting the disbursement and use of the massive funds designated for quick-fix maintenance of the refineries.
“We are investigating the money that was released for the rehabilitation of all three refineries—funds disbursed in recent times. All the principal officers who held key positions during this period are being invited for questioning. Some have already been arrested; others are under watch,” the EFCC source stated.
“Nigerians are eager to see functional refineries. The question we are asking is: where is the money, and what has happened to the refineries?”
A document obtained from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), dated April 28, 2025, titled “Investigation Activities: Request for Information”, confirmed that the investigation also extends to the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari.
The EFCC document reportedly includes the names of 13 additional former senior executives of the NNPCL who are now under investigation for alleged misappropriation of public funds.
This development marks one of the most significant anti-corruption actions in the oil sector in recent years, further intensifying public demand for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The EFCC has yet to issue an official public statement, but sources say more arrests and disclosures are expected in the coming days as investigations progress.