EFCC Recovers Billions in Refinery Fraud, Moves Against Ex-NNPCL Officials

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over 10 billion Naira in a fraud scheme related to the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria's refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri. Investigations revealed that a contractor and senior officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) were involved in siphoning funds through inflated contracts and questionable payments.

The EFCC is preparing to press charges against former and serving NNPCL executives. Additionally, the commission is pursuing the recovery of an additional 13 billion Naira linked to fraudulent contractors engaged in the refinery projects.

Despite billions allocated for the refineries' rehabilitation, they have not operated optimally for over a decade, leading Nigeria to rely on imported petroleum products. The EFCC is also investigating fresh allegations of contract inflation amounting to 40 million Naira involving NNPCL officials and contractors.

Former management teams of the refineries have been interrogated, with 10 billion Naira recovered so far. The.