The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended the recently dismissed managing directors and top executives of Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries — Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company — over alleged misappropriation of nearly $3 billion in public funds earmarked for refinery rehabilitation.
According to EFCC sources, the anti-graft agency is investigating the utilization of $2,956,872,622.36 allocated for the turnaround maintenance of the three refineries. Preliminary findings reveal that $1.56 billion was earmarked for the Port Harcourt facility, $740.6 million for Kaduna, and $656.9 million for Warri.
Among those arrested is Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, the former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, and Efifia Chu, his counterpart at Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company. The EFCC has confirmed that the probe encompasses all key executives who oversaw refinery operations during the project execution period.
A high-ranking official disclosed that one of the detained managing directors has had over ₦80 billion traced to his bank accounts. “This could rival the scale of the Emefiele scandal,” the source noted, referencing the earlier case involving the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor.
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which manages the three refineries, has remained silent amid mounting criticism and repeated media inquiries. Internal NNPCL sources confirmed that several other senior officials, including former National Petroleum Investment Management Services chief Bala Wunti, were also relieved of their duties and are subjects of the investigation.
Further implicating former NNPCL Group CEO Mele Kyari, the EFCC has requested financial records for him and 13 other former top officials of the national oil company. A letter dated April 28, 2025, addressed to the NNPCL Group CEO, listed the officials and requested certified copies of their emoluments and allowances.
A Failed Revival.
The arrests come on the heels of widespread backlash over the poor performance of Nigeria’s refineries, despite public declarations by the NNPCL that operations had resumed. The Port Harcourt refinery was reported to be operating below 40% capacity, while the Warri refinery was shut down less than a month after its relaunch in December 2024 due to safety concerns.
According to a recent document from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Warri refinery, which had received $897 million for refurbishment, ceased operations on January 25, 2025, due to faults in its Crude Distillation Unit Main Heater. Similarly, the Port Harcourt refinery, rehabilitated at a cost of $1.5 billion, is producing at just 37.87% of capacity.
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Refinery staff at Warri refused to comment when visited by journalists, while security officials at the plant blocked non-staff entry. Independent oil marketers also reported that they were unable to lift petroleum products from the facility, contradicting NNPCL’s claims of active operations.
Sector Experts Cry Foul.
Industry analysts and stakeholders have criticized the federal government and NNPCL for what they describe as deceptive practices. Energy expert Kelvin Emmanuel, speaking on Arise News, called the refineries’ commissioning events “a charade” staged to mislead the public.
“These refineries were never truly ready,” Emmanuel said. “The government approved nearly $3 billion for turnaround maintenance that has yielded no measurable output. Warri and Port Harcourt don’t even have the necessary equipment to produce refined Premium Motor Spirit.”
He further pointed out that essential infrastructure, such as the 46km pipeline from Escravos to Warri, remains inoperable, raising questions about how crude is being transported to the facilities.
“Products are still largely being lifted from depots in Lagos, not from the refineries,” he added.
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Public Distrust Grows.
The apparent failure of Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar refinery rehabilitation projects has triggered renewed calls for transparency and accountability in the country’s oil sector. Citizens and industry players are demanding answers as Nigeria continues to import refined petroleum products despite massive investments in local refining.
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With the EFCC ramping up its investigations and potential high-profile indictments on the horizon, the outcome of this probe could shape public confidence in both the NNPCL and broader government anti-corruption efforts.
As of the time of publication, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale had not issued a formal statement, and NNPCL’s communications team remained unresponsive to inquiries.
