‘I voluntarily submitted myself’: Ex-NNPC CFO denies EFCC’s arrest over $7.2bn fraud

The former Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Umar Isa, has denied the claim of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud.

The former NNPC Limited CFO made this known in a statement on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Isa described his purported arrest over alleged $7.2 billion fraud by the EFCC as false.

Isa said contrary to reports, he voluntarily submitted himself to the EFCC, noting that he was never arrested in connection with the alleged $7.2 billion relating to transactions at the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.

Isa and three others were said to have been arrested by the EFCC over alleged fraud at the nation’s oil company on Monday, June 23.

They were said to have been arrested in connection with an alleged fraud linked to the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries.

The former CFO stated: “Nobody arrested me for any $7.2 billion in relation to any refinery fraud. I voluntarily submitted myself for questioning to the EFCC and thereafter I went home.

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“To see in the media of stories of my arrest over fraud is unfortunate.”

He noted that he served at NNPC Limited and left with his integrity intact.

“Nobody has accused me of any fraud throughout my sojourn at the company. People who are pushing this false narrative of arrests and detention just want to tarnish my reputation,” Isa added.

Isa said he was ready at any time to defend his reputation and years of service at the NNPC Limited.

“I am in this country and any day and anytime the EFCC request me to appear before them I will be present,” the former NNPC Limited CFO stated.

The Star