In a major development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested several recently sacked managing directors and top officials of Nigeria's state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna over the alleged mismanagement of $2.9 billion budgeted for refinery rehabilitation.
According to investigations, the EFCC uncovered a staggering ₦80 billion in the personal account of one of the former refinery MDs.
Sources within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the EFCC confirmed that the arrests were tied to suspected corruption surrounding funds disbursed for the long-delayed rehabilitation of the three major refineries.
The breakdown of the funds under scrutiny is as follows:
$1.5 billion allocated to the Port Harcourt Refinery
$740 million released for the Kaduna Refinery
$656 million approved for the Warri Refinery
The former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd has been identified as Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, while Efifia Chu served as the ex-Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd.
Both individuals, along with other senior executives, are currently being probed for their roles in the misappropriation of public funds.
An EFCC source who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Punch that the arrests are part of a broader investigation into the billions allocated for the so-called “quick-fix” of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.
“We are investigating the funds released in recent years for the rehabilitation of all three refineries. Several principal officers have been arrested, and we are tracking down others. Nigerians deserve answers — where is the money, and why are our refineries still not working?” the official stated.
In a document obtained by The Punch dated April 28, 2025, and titled ‘Investigation Activities: Request for Information’, the EFCC also listed the former Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, among those under investigation.
The document contains the names of 13 other former senior NNPCL officials, all allegedly linked to the diversion or mismanagement of the rehabilitation funds.
The revelations have triggered a wave of outrage among Nigerians, many of whom have long questioned why the country’s refineries remain non-functional despite the billions poured into repeated repair contracts. The latest development has added to growing demands for transparency, accountability, and prosecution of those responsible.
The names of the former MDs are attched below
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