… Kyari, 13 others under investigation
… Experts, stakeholders decry deception over refinery operations
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently sacked managing directors and several top officials of Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries—Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company—over allegations of massive corruption and mismanagement of funds earmarked for refinery rehabilitation.
The total amount under investigation stands at $2,956,872,622.36, reportedly allocated for the quick-fix maintenance of the refineries.
Findings confirmed that $1.56 billion was released for the Port Harcourt refinery, $740.6 million for Kaduna, and $656.9 million for the Warri facility. The arrest follows a sweeping probe by the EFCC into how the funds were utilized—or allegedly diverted—under the former leadership.
Among those arrested are Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, the former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, and Efifia Chu, ex-Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company.
Sources within the EFCC told Saturday PUNCH that the arrests form part of a wider investigation into systemic corruption and financial mismanagement within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which oversees the refineries.
“All the principal officers within that time frame are being invited. Some have been arrested already. We are asking: where is the money, and what has happened to the refineries?” a senior EFCC official stated.
In a startling revelation, N80 billion was reportedly discovered in the personal accounts of one of the sacked refinery bosses, a figure that insiders say could surpass the magnitude of the controversial “Emefielegate.”
A document dated April 28, 2025, obtained by Saturday PUNCH reveals that the probe also includes Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL. Thirteen other senior officials—both serving and retired—have been listed in the EFCC’s investigation into alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.
The document, titled ‘Investigation Activities: Request for Information’, demands certified copies of emoluments and allowances for those named, including Abubakar Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, and several others.
The development comes amid growing backlash against the NNPCL over its claims that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries had resumed production in November and December 2024, respectively.
The Warri refinery was shut down again in January 2025, barely a month after its “revival,” due to critical faults in its Crude Distillation Unit Main Heater. Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt refinery has reportedly operated at below 40% capacity, despite a $1.5bn overhaul.
A new document from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) confirms the Warri facility has produced no petrol since reopening, raising further doubts about the NNPCL’s claims of functionality.
Support staff at the Warri refinery have scheduled an indefinite strike to commence on May 5, 2025, protesting poor wages and casualisation. According to union leader Dafe Ighomitedo, workers were promised better remuneration upon the refinery’s restart—promises that remain unfulfilled.
“We were promised an improved salary structure upon restart, but that promise has not been fulfilled,” Ighomitedo said.
Renowned energy expert Kelvin Emmanuel described the government’s claims as a “charade”, accusing officials of deceiving the public with televised commissioning events while refineries remain non-functional.
“This money ($2.96bn) could build a brand-new refinery. The 46km pipeline meant to supply feedstock to Warri is out of service. How is crude even getting to the plant?” Emmanuel asked.
Another expert, Dan Kunle, lambasted the government for sidelining the original Japanese builders of the Kaduna refinery due to insecurity fears and opting for costly yet ineffective alternatives. He stated that the Kaduna refinery lacks a functioning pipeline to receive crude oil, rendering any rehabilitation effort futile.
“All these three refineries, we are wasting money rehabilitating them,” Kunle declared.
Stakeholders in the downstream sector, including IPMAN and PETROAN, have demanded a full-blown investigation into the state of the refineries and the mismanagement of funds.
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