EFCC Recovers ₦5bn and $10m From Refinery Maintenance Fraud, Targets More Funds

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered ₦5 billion and $10 million from a refinery maintenance fraud scheme involving government officials and contractors. The fraudulent activity was linked to the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria's refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri.

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, personally supervised the probe, expressing concern over the persistent failure of the refineries despite massive public spending. The agency is working to trace and recover an additional ₦13 billion allegedly siphoned through inflated contracts and questionable payments.

The investigation has uncovered fraud in inflated contract payments, with over ₦10 million recovered so far. The EFCC is also probing fresh allegations of a ₦40 million contract inflation involving an official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Charges may soon be filed against indicted officials as the investigation continues.