EFCC Arrests MDs of Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna Refineries Over $2.9 Billion Scam Allegation
Oru Leonard
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently sacked Managing Directors and some top officials of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company. The officials were arrested over alleged mismanagement of funds earmarked for the rehabilitation of the facilities.
Key Highlights:
- Amount Involved: The total amount under investigation is $2,956,872,622.36.
- Refineries Involved: The EFCC is investigating the sum of $1,559,239,084.36 allocated to the Port Harcourt refinery, $740,669,600 released for the Kaduna refinery, and $656,963,938 approved for the Warri refinery.
- Arrests: The ex-Managing Directors of the refineries, including Mr. Ibrahim Onoja and Efifia Chu, were among those arrested.
Investigation:
The EFCC is probing the alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds by the officials. A document obtained by Saturday PUNCH indicates that the probe includes the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and 13 other former senior executives.
Reactions:
- Energy Expert: An energy expert, Kelvin Emmanuel, described the commissioning of the refineries as a “charade,” accusing the government of staging the event to mislead the public.
- IPMAN: The Delta State Chairman of IPMAN expressed worry over the non-production of petrol at the Warri refinery, months after its rehabilitation.
- PETROAN: The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria called for an investigation into the condition of the refineries.
Source: The Punch online
