The rapid previous Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has honored the invitation of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) following its ongoing investigations over alleged fraud at NNPCL.
A supply acquainted with developments throughout the EFCC (who pleaded anonymity because the official was not approved to talk) disclosed this to Nairametrics on Wednesday.
The supply confirmed that Kyari was invited and was at the moment on the Fee, as of the time of this text.
EFCC Lawsuit and Probe
The event comes days after the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja ordered the short-term freezing of 4 Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Mele Kyari, the rapid previous Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPCL, over allegations of fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Ogechi Ujam, moved an ex-parte movement to that impact.
- Ujam informed the courtroom that investigations had been ongoing and that the fee would wish extra time to conclude its findings.
- Nairametrics beforehand reported that the EFCC had confirmed that the previous Chief Monetary Officer (CFO) of NNPCL, Umar Isa, and different prime officers are nonetheless below investigation over an alleged $7.2 billion fraud linked to the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries.
- Except for Isa, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, a former Managing Director of Warri Refinery, and others had been mentioned to have visited the EFCC, as confirmed by our supply on the time.
This growth follows the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Aliyu Wadada, elevating the alarm about alleged discrepancies involving trillions of naira within the audited monetary statements of NNPCL.
The Committee described the revelations as mind-boggling and worrisome, emphasizing that the considerations stem from its evaluation of NNPCL’s audited monetary statements from 2017 to 2023.
The committee instantly handed over an inventory of 11 queries to the NNPCL finance group with a one-week deadline for response.
Our supply confirmed to Nairametrics that key officers concerned within the upkeep of the refineries and different main NNPCL tasks are below investigation concerning “alleged abuse of workplace, corruption, diversion of funds, and kickbacks from contractors.”
“The arrest of some ex-NNPCL officers is true. We’re nonetheless investigating, and there’s no level preempting what the EFCC will do after the investigation,” the supply added.
The supply additional confirmed that “the Fee continues to be on the investigation stage,” and there could also be no must arraign a number of the ex-NNPCL officers relying on the end result of the EFCC investigation.
Backstory
The event comes months after President Bola Tinubu authorized the reconstitution of the NNPCL board, eradicating the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and the Group Chief Govt Officer, Mele Kyari.
The restructuring affected all different board members appointed alongside Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.
Based on the assertion, “President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted below Part 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Business Act, 2021, emphasised that the board’s restructuring is essential for enhancing operational effectivity, restoring investor confidence, boosting native content material, driving financial progress, and advancing gasoline commercialization and diversification.”
President Tinubu additionally handed the brand new board a right away motion plan: to conduct a strategic portfolio assessment of NNPC-operated and Joint Enterprise Property to make sure alignment with worth maximization goals.
Be First to Comment