EFCC Places Former NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari, On Watch List

The former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has reportedly been placed on the watchlist of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former NNPC boss was placed on the watch list over the ongoing probe into the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance, Daily Trust reports.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered a temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to him over allegations of fraud.

Speaking to Daily Trust, multiple sources at the EFCC disclosed that investigations into the activities of the NNPCL during the period Kyari held sway reached an advanced stage last month after his close associates were arrested.

Kyari’s associates had been interrogated on how some funds earmarked for the maintenance of the country’s refineries were managed.

Documents and other necessary information had since been obtained by the crack detectives investigating how the fund meant for the refineries’ turn-around maintenance was used.

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“I can assure you that we have even gone far with his (Kyari’s) investigation. Don’t forget that in criminal investigations, territorial integrity and territorial boundaries of countries have no effect on criminal investigations.

“This is because the anti-corruption agencies operate at the transnational level, whether somebody leaves the country or not, it has nothing to do with our investigations, because whenever we need him, we will get him, and he’s already on our watch list,” the official said.

Another EFCC source, revealed: “We’re investigating him (Mele Kyari) and our investigation has reached an advanced stage. How is it possible that we will not investigate him? When those around him are already being investigated!

“The fact that the commission is not talking about him is for us to be able to get some critical information. We are discreet about it because there are so many officials that are involved.

“It is deliberate that we are not talking about him. It is to assist us in our investigations and to ensure that we get the right report that we need.”

Recall that in April, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had sacked NNPCL board chairman, Pius Akinyelure and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Kyari.

The GCEO was consequently replaced by Bashir Ojulari as the new CEO, effective from April 2, 2025.