BREAKING: Former NNPC Boss Mele Kyari in EFCC Custody, Details Emerge

• A former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja
• Mele landed at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody on Wednesday, September 10, 2025
• Sources within the anti-graft commission explained the reason Mele is in the EFCC custody, a few months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu replaced him with Bashir Ojulari

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

FCT, Abuja - A former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has landed in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody in Abuja.

Legit.ng recalls that EFCC placed Kyari on its watchlist over the ongoing probe into the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has earlier ordered a temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Kyari over allegations of fraud.

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Kyari arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 2:30 pm on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

As reported by Daily Trust, sources with the EFCC said Kyari would provide explanations on issues that border on funds earmarked for the maintenance of refineries in the country.

A highly-placed EFCC source, who confirmed Kyari's presence, said:

“Yes, he’s in our office. He will be ushered into where he will face interrogation by the crack detectives of the commission.”

President Bola Tinubu sacked 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.

Kyari breaks silence on alleged EFCC's arrest

Legit.ng earlier reported that Kyari denied the report of being detained in the custody of the EFCC

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Kyari, in a statement on Saturday, May 3, 2025, described the report as a calculated disinformation and urged the public to disregard it.

The former NNPC boss explained that he has been resting and expressed his readiness to answer genuine questions on accountability during his time in office.

Read more stories on EFCC and NNPC:

• Ex-NNPC General Manager Convicted in US as Details Emerge
• NNPCL: Group Sends Key Message to Tinubu over ‘Cabal-Driven Propaganda’ Against Ojulari, “Ignore”
• Controversy as NNPC Raises Salaries of over 6,000 Staff to Retain Top Talents
• "The Public is Hereby Notified": EFCC Finally Reveals Why Atiku's Son-In-Law Was Declared Wanted
• Aminu Tambuwal: EFCC Arrests Top Ex-Governor and Atiku's Strong Ally

Mele Kyari reacts as EFCC arrests former refinery MD

In a previous story, Legit.ng reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly arrested the sacked managing directors of Nigeria’s refineries.

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The top officials were arrested over the purported mishandling of rehabilitation funds meant for the refineries.

However, the former NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, has debunked reports of an arrest by the NNPC.

Source: Legit.ng