In a major development that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria's oil and gas sector, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently sacked Managing Directors and top officials of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries over allegations of massive financial misappropriation.
The arrests, confirmed on Friday by a senior EFCC official who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, form part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a staggering $2.9 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of the three state-owned refineries.
Among those apprehended is Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, the former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, and Mr. Efifia Chu, the ex-MD of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd. Sources indicate that other principal officers and former executives linked to the controversial disbursement are also in EFCC custody, while more arrests are expected in the coming days.
Investigations are focusing on:
- $1.5 billion allocated to the Port Harcourt refinery,
- $740 million disbursed for the Kaduna refinery,
- $656 million approved for the Warri refinery.
Shockingly, impeccable sources at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have revealed that N80 billion was discovered in a personal account belonging to one of the sacked managing directors. The source described the find as "alarming and indicative of a deep-rooted financial rot."
A confidential document obtained by The PUNCH, dated April 28, 2025, and titled ‘Investigation Activities: Request for Information’, shows that the EFCC probe is also extending to the former Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, alongside 13 other ex-senior executives of the national oil company.
The EFCC official stated:
“We are investigating the money that was released for the rehabilitation of all three refineries—money disbursed in recent times. All the principal officers within that time frame are being invited. Some have been arrested already, and we are still on the lookout for others. Nigerians are interested in seeing our refineries work. We are asking: where is the money, and what has happened to the refineries?”
The development comes amidst growing public frustration over the continued failure of the country’s refineries despite heavy financial investments over the years.
As the probe deepens, the spotlight is once again on the Nigerian government’s commitment to accountability and the urgent need to overhaul the nation's oil infrastructure and financial monitoring systems.
More updates to follow.
