By Oke Peter
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over ₦5 billion and $10 million from contractors and government officials implicated in the multi-billion naira fraud involving the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri.
According to reliable sources, the anti-graft agency is also pursuing the recovery of an additional ₦10 billion and $13 million allegedly siphoned through inflated contracts and fraudulent transactions.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, is reportedly leading the investigation personally, reflecting his dissatisfaction with the persistent non-performance of the refineries despite substantial public expenditure.
Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries have remained largely inactive for decades. Despite repeated allocations of billions of dollars by successive governments for their rehabilitation, the facilities continue to underperform—leaving the country dependent on imported petroleum products.
The EFCC is currently probing the disbursement of:
* $1.56 billion for Port Harcourt Refinery,
* $740.7 million for Kaduna Refinery, and
* $656.9 million for Warri Refinery.
Top EFCC officials have revealed that the investigations uncovered widespread malpractices, including over-invoicing, contract inflation, and irregular payments, which contributed significantly to the failure of the refineries to operate efficiently.
Former management teams of the three refineries have been repeatedly interrogated as part of the investigation. Sources confirmed that the commission has concluded investigations into several officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) involved in the contracts and is preparing to file charges.
An EFCC official stated:“ Our investigation has revealed large-scale fraud in the turnaround maintenance of the refineries. So far, ₦5 billion and $10 million have been recovered from indicted contractors and officials. We are also on track to recover an additional ₦10 billion and $13 million.”
In addition, the EFCC is examining new allegations of contract inflation totaling $40 million, involving NNPCL officials and contractors tasked with procuring equipment for the rehabilitation projects.
As of press time, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment. However, a senior commission official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ongoing investigations and recoveries.
