‘I’m taking well-deserved rest’: Mele Kyari denies EFCC arrest

The immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, has debunked claims that he is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial mismanagement in the national oil company.

An online news platform (Not The Star) had reported that Kyari was in the EFCC’s custody for questioning over alleged fraud.

This comes after the anti-graft agency arrested the former managing directors and senior officials of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company over alleged financial mismanagement linked to the rehabilitation of the refineries.

The EFCC is investigating $2,956,872,622.36 allocated for refurbishment projects – $1,559,239,084.36 for the Port Harcourt facility, $740,669,600 for Kaduna, and $656,963,938 for Warri.

It was further gathered that the EFCC traced N80 billion to accounts belonging to one of the dismissed MDs.

However, Kyari, in a statement issued on Saturday, May 3, 2025, described his rumoured arrest as “clear mischief and a calculated attempt” to discredit him, saying he is currently taking a “well-deserved rest” following the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPC Limited.

Kyari, who noted that he had received numerous calls from concerned family members and friends about his alleged arrest, said he served “not only my country but also God”, saying he is happy to account for his stewardship.

He said: “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.

$3bn fraud: EFCC found N80bn in sacked NNPC refinery MD’s accounts, arrests 3 top officials

“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. So, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve under their Excellencies Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I must emphasize that I served with the fear of God, knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man. Therefore, having served in public capacity, I am willing and happy to account for my stewardship in this world.

“However, it is important to state that the resort to disinformation does not serve anyone’s purpose, the NNPCL or the country in General, as it has the potential to send the wrong signals to investors and the international community.”

Kyari, therefore, urged the media to be circumspect and avoid being stampeded into misleading the public on unverified stories or matters that are subject to further validation by relevant organisations.

“I sincerely thank my family and friends who have reached out to me or tried to do so, and assure them that I am available to respond to all lawful queries,” the former NNPC Limited boss added.

The Star