Malam Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over allegations linked to the mismanagement of funds meant for refinery maintenance.
DAILY GAZETTE confirmed that Kyari arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 2:30 pm on Wednesday.
A senior official at the commission disclosed that he is expected to face interrogation by the EFCC’s special investigative team.
“Yes, he’s in our office. He will be ushered into the interrogation room to meet with our crack detectives,” the source said.
Kyari’s appearance follows previous reports that he had been placed on the EFCC watchlist amid investigations into multi-billion naira allocations for refinery repairs during his tenure as NNPCL boss.
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier frozen all bank accounts linked to Kyari, acting on an application from the EFCC as part of its broader probe into financial misappropriation within the national oil sector.
Kyari served as head of NNPCL during a crucial transition period and was a central figure in the federal government’s oil sector reforms.
His handling of funds earmarked for the revamp of Nigeria’s refineries many of which remained non-functional has drawn significant scrutiny from lawmakers, civil society and the public.
