Ex-NNPC Boss Allegedly Detained in EFCC's Custody? Kyari Finally Reacts

• Former NNPC group CEO Mele Kyari has reportedly been arrested and detained in the custody of the EFCC
• Kyari was said to be under questioning along with some top officials of the NNPC, who were recently sacked from the oil company
• According to sources, the former NNPC boss has been in the EFCC's custody since Friday and is likely to spend the whole weekend over there
• However, the former NNPC boss has denied the report, saying he has been resting and expressed his readiness to give an account of his stewardship

Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, has already been made to answer questions in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former NNPC boss and some top officials of the national oil firm, who were recently removed from their offices, are answering questions on the alleged misappropriation of funds and abuse of funds.

However, Kyari in a statement denied the claim, saying he had been resting since leaving office earlier in April. He added that he will be ready to give an account of his stewardship anytime he receives a genuine call to do so.

When did EFCC arrest Mele Kyari?

According to TheCable, sources disclosed that the former NNPC boss was taken into custody on Friday, May 2, and there is a tendency that he will be spending the whole of the weekend over there.

The EFCC officials are not speaking about the arrest. However, a leaked letter reportedly sent to Bayo Ojulari, the new GCEO, has been making waves on social media.

In the letter, the anti-graft agency requested the new NNPC boss to provide true copies of the emoluments and allowances of the 14 officials, as well as those who have retired and those who are no longer working with the firm.

The other officials under investigation are Mustapha Magaji Sugungun, Abubakar Lawal Yar’ Yar'Adua, Kayode Olusegun Adetokunbo, Mele Kolo Kyari, Efiok Michael Akpan, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Babatunde Bakare, Umar Ajiya, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Dikko Ahmed, Bello Kankaya, Ibrahim Onoja, Desmond Inyama, and Ademoye Adeniyi Jelli.

But Kyari's reaction reads in part:

“Over the past few days, and particularly in the past two hours, I have been inundated with calls from family and friends over claims by an online newspaper that I was in EFCC custody. This is clear mischief and a calculated attempt by the newspaper and its sponsors to achieve a desired outcome, which only they know.”

Read the full statement here:

New NNPC boss began reform

Recently, the new NNPC boss removed the managing directors of the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries during the week. This move was said to stop the consistent value erosion in Nigeria's oil sector.

Kyari-led NNPC management said it spent billions of dollars in fixing the long-condemned refineries, but sources said they are far from functioning to their full capacity.

Ojulari, the new administrator, recently constituted a high-level assessment team led by Mumuni Dagazzau, the executive vice president, downstream, to commence an operational assessment tour to all the refineries with immediate effect. This was meant to determine their current capacities and give recommendations.

On Monday, April 28, it was reported that the NNPC sacked a number of senior staff members of the oil company.

Tinubu sacked Mele Kyari as NNPC boss

Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu has sacked Mele Kyari from his position as the GCEO of the NNPC and all board members appointed in 2023.

The president subsequently announced the appointment of Bayo Ojulari as the new boss of the NNPC and Kyari's replacement.

Aside from Ojulari, the President also appointed new executive and non-executive board members to lead the national oil company.

Source: Legit.ng