Victor EzejaImmediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has denied being in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
Kyari said he is currently taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe stated this in a statement released on Saturday via his X handle.
He described the media report claiming he was in the EFCC’s custody as a “clear mischief and a calculated attempt” to achieve a desired outcome.
“At present, I am taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL, of which I was the Group Chief Executive,” Kyari stated.
Ex-NNPCL GCEO said he served not only the country but also God and is happy to account for his stewardship.
He said: “It should be stated that having served the NNPC and the NNPCL for 34 years, and 17 of those in management roles and especially the last 5 years and 9 months, I had little time for leave of even two weeks.”
Kyari claimed that he served with the fear of God, knowing fully well that he would one day give account of his stewardship. “Therefore, having served in public capacity, I am willing and happy to account for my stewardship in this world.”
He expressed gratitude to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as NNPCL GCEO under their administration.
On issues pertaining to his affairs in office, Kyari warned against resorting to disinformation, asserting that it does not serve anyone’s purpose, the NNPCL or the country in General. He added that such attempt has the potential to send the wrong signals to investors and the international community.
READ ALSO: Kyari’s Allies Laid Off In Major Restructuring At NNPCL
He urged the media to be circumspect and avoid being stampeded into misleading the public on unverified stories.
Kyari’s reaction comes amid reports that ex-top officials of the NNPCL were being detained and questioned by EFCC operatives over alleged mismanagement of funds.
A media report said the recently sacked directors and some top officials of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company have been arrested over alleged mismanagement of $2.95 billion released by the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of the three refineries.
READ ALSO: Why Warri Refinery Remains Moribund After Millions Of Dollars Spent On Repair
The anti-graft agency is said to be investigating the use of billions of dollars released for fixing the three state-owned refineries that have been moribund for decades.
The NNPCL had in November, announced resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery and that of Warri in December 2024.
However, the Port Harcourt refinery is said to be operating at about 37 per cent of its installed capacity since its widely announced resumption, while the Warri refinery was again shut down one month after resumption due to safety concerns.
This has generated reactions as Nigerians question the rationality of spending billions of dollars on Turn around Maintenance on the refineries but no significant outcome.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
