The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently sacked managing directors and top officials of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries over allegations of massive financial mismanagement.
The arrests are part of an ongoing probe into the alleged diversion and misappropriation of a total of \$2.9 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries.
According to The PUNCH, the EFCC is specifically investigating the disbursement of \$1.5 billion for the Port Harcourt refinery, \$740 million for the Kaduna refinery, and \$656 million for the Warri refinery.
Among those arrested is Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, former Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, and Mr. Efifia Chu, former MD of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd. Sources within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) confirmed that ₦80 billion was discovered in the personal account of one of the former MDs.
A senior EFCC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrests, stating, “We are investigating the money released for the rehabilitation of all three refineries. All principal officers within that timeframe are being invited or arrested. Nigerians want answers: Where is the money, and why are the refineries still not functional?”
Further deepening the scandal, an EFCC document dated April 28, 2025, and titled ‘Investigation Activities: Request for Information’, shows that the probe also includes former Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, along with 13 other senior executives.
The EFCC has pledged to pursue full accountability in the use of the funds and has assured the public of continued updates as the investigation progresses.
