- Ex-NNPCL boss, others to face trial soon
- Sujimoto CEO held over alleged N5.7bn contract fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has tightened its probe into the multi-billion-dollar refineries rehabilitation scandal, directing the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, to report at its Abuja headquarters on a daily basis.
Sources disclosed that Kyari and several former NNPC executives, as well as contractors, are expected to face trial soon over allegations of mismanagement of more than $2.5 billion earmarked for turnaround maintenance of the country’s four refineries. The EFCC has already restricted some of Kyari’s accounts as part of the investigation.
Kyari, who first appeared before investigators on Wednesday, is said to be assisting with verification of documents, contractors’ claims, and other issues. A top source confirmed that his daily reporting is “the final lap of the investigation,” adding that charges may be filed once the process is concluded.
Between 2010 and 2023, about $18 billion was reportedly spent on Nigeria’s refineries with little to show, including $1.55 billion for Port Harcourt, $740.6 million for Kaduna, and $656.9 million for Warri. Despite these huge sums, the facilities remain comatose.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has secured a court order to detain the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd, Sijibomi Ogundele, over an alleged N5.7 billion fraud involving a contract awarded by the Enugu State Government.
Ogundele allegedly received half of an N11.4 billion contract for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools but abandoned the projects after carrying out what officials described as “shoddy and structurally unsafe work.” The state government petitioned the EFCC after failed attempts to get him to account for the funds.
The anti-graft agency has frozen Ogundele’s personal and company accounts pending further investigation and may seek a forfeiture order if he fails to refund the money. He is expected to interface with Enugu officials next week over the abandoned projects.
The EFCC has questioned former refinery executives, contractors, and other stakeholders in connection with the probe. According to insiders, barring last-minute developments, charges against Kyari, Ogundele, and others will be filed in court in the coming days.