Abuja – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is preparing to question Mele Kyari, the former group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), as part of a continuing investigation into alleged fraud involving $7.2 billion in refinery maintenance funds.
An EFCC insider revealed that the investigation into Kyari’s tenure at the NNPCL advanced significantly last month following the arrest of several of his close associates. These individuals were reportedly interrogated about the management of funds allocated for the maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries.
The anonymous source confirmed that Kyari would soon be summoned for questioning. “I can assure you that we have even gone far with his investigation,” the source stated. “The fact that the commission is not talking about him is for us to be able to get some critical information.“
The source emphasized that Kyari’s current location would not hinder the investigation, as anti-corruption agencies operate at a transnational level. “Whenever we need him, we will get him, and he’s already on our watchlist,” the source added. The official further explained that the EFCC’s discretion regarding Kyari’s case is intentional, as it allows them to gather crucial information without interference. “It is deliberate that we are not talking about him,” the source said, “It is to assist us in our investigations and to ensure that we get the right report that we need.”