By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja –
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Umar Isa, over an alleged $7.2 billion fraud linked to the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries.
Also in EFCC custody is Jimoh Olasunkanmi, a former Managing Director of Warri Refinery. Isa, as CFO, was in charge of releasing funds for the turnaround maintenance of the three refineries.
The EFCC said it is investigating Isa and other key officials involved in the maintenance of the refineries and other NNPC projects for alleged abuse of office, corruption, diversion of funds, and kickbacks from contractors.
Other officials involved include Tunde Bakare, Ahmed Dikko, and Ibrahim Onoja.
The arrest follows a recent Senate Committee on Public Accounts report that raised alarms over discrepancies involving trillions of naira in NNPCL’s audited financial statements.
