The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has flagged the passports of 16 officials allegedly involved in the mismanagement of nearly $3 billion. These funds were designated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. This move significantly escalates the ongoing NNPCL fraud case, which continues to attract the close attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police, and other national security agencies.
As part of a coordinated effort, immigration officers at all border posts, airports, and land entry points have received immediate directives. They must intercept any individual on the flagged list attempting to exit the country. Ultimately, this step ensures that suspects do not flee before facing justice.
EFCC Arrests Former Refinery Chiefs Amid Expanding NNPCL Fraud Case
Meanwhile, the EFCC has arrested several former managing directors and senior officials from the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company. These arrests, carried out over the weekend, form part of a broader and intensifying investigation into the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for refinery rehabilitation.
Currently, the EFCC has placed a total sum of $2,956,872,622.36 under investigation in the expanding NNPCL fraud case. Specifically, the breakdown of disbursements under scrutiny includes:
- $1,559,239,084.36 to the Port Harcourt refinery
- $740,669,600 to the Kaduna refinery
- $656,963,938 to the Warri refinery
According to a senior EFCC official, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization, the arrests form part of a far-reaching probe. “We are investigating the funds released for the rehabilitation of all three refineries, money disbursed in recent times,” the official revealed. “Some suspects have already been arrested, and we are still actively pursuing others.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that Nigerians are rightly demanding answers. “Where is the money, and why are the refineries still non-functional?” he asked. These questions continue to dominate public discourse.
NIS Flags Suspects to Prevent Escape
Consequently, the NIS has joined the national effort to block any suspects from evading justice. A source within the agency confirmed that it recently received a directive to flag the passports of 16 individuals. This action directly aligns with the EFCC’s ongoing investigation.
“We received 16 names some days ago with instructions to flag them,” the source disclosed. “This means they should not be allowed to travel out of the country.” By flagging these passports, NIS has ensured that critical information is shared across all exit points, including airports and land borders.
Although the agency has not revealed the names or positions of those listed, this development further reinforces a coordinated strategy. Indeed, the goal remains to secure all suspects within national jurisdiction.
Top NNPCL Officials Under Scrutiny
Simultaneously, the EFCC has extended its investigation to include top executives of NNPCL. A document titled “Investigation Activities: Request for Information”, dated April 28, 2025, confirmed that the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, is under active investigation alongside 13 other former senior officials.
The document, addressed to the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, stated: “The commission is investigating a case of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds in which the underlisted officials of your organisation featured.” Those listed include:
- Mele Kyari
- Abubakar Yar’Adua
- Isiaka Abdulrazak
- Umar Ajiya
- Dikko Ahmed
- Ibrahim Onoja
- Ademoye Jelili
- Mustapha Sugungun
- Bello Kankaya
- Jimoh Olasunkanmi
- Babatunde Bakare
- Efiok Akpan
- Kayode Adetokunbo
- Desmond Inyama
Each of these individuals played a significant role in the period under review.
Contract Fraud Allegations and Abandoned Projects
Additionally, investigators have uncovered widespread irregularities in project execution and contract delivery. According to sources close to the probe, several contractors and subcontractors collected payments for projects they never began. Others, after receiving partial funding, failed to complete assigned work and subsequently abandoned their responsibilities.
This has left many of the refinery rehabilitation projects either incomplete or entirely stalled. As a result, security agencies have widened the scope of their operations. They are now targeting all beneficiaries who profited from fraudulent contracts.
A senior source stressed the severity of the breach. “Some contractors got paid and vanished,” the source said. “Others were paid for incomplete work. These are not isolated incidents.” The President, according to the source, is deeply embarrassed by the revelations involving the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.
Security services have therefore received direct orders. They must identify, track, and arrest every individual connected to the fraud.
Refinery Project Milestones Under Scrutiny
Notably, in 2021, the Federal Executive Council awarded Italy’s Tecnimont a $1.5 billion contract to modernize the Port Harcourt refinery. At the time, NNPCL stated that the project would achieve 90% production capacity in the first phase, expected within 18 months.
Subsequently, during the 15th Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee meeting, Mele Kyari, then Group CEO of NNPCL, claimed the project had reached 77.4% completion by December 15, 2023. The Area 5 Plant reportedly stood at 84.4% completion.
Furthermore, NNPCL announced on November 26, 2024, that it had successfully delivered the 60,000 barrels-per-day Port Harcourt refinery. However, by January 2025, local authorities and host communities disputed that claim. They argued the facility never operated at full capacity.
These contradictions have since fueled public skepticism. Citizens are questioning how the allocated funds were spent and why the results failed to align with official claims.
Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability Intensify
As the NNPCL fraud case unfolds, public outcry continues to grow. Civil society organisations and energy experts have called for full transparency. They also demand the prosecution of all involved parties, the recovery of stolen funds, and an independent audit of all contracts tied to the refineries.
The EFCC, working in tandem with the NIS and the Nigeria Police, remains committed to closing in on every suspect. Their collaboration ensures that none of the principal actors escape justice through technicalities or delay.
Going forward, Nigerians expect a transparent process, a thorough investigation, and swift prosecution. Ultimately, the public demands full accountability in what has become one of the largest financial scandals in Nigeria’s oil sector history.