Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
In what could be one of the largest corruption scandals in Nigeria’s history, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five former top officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) over an alleged ₦11.16 trillion ($7.2 billion) fraud tied to the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s three refineries.
And here’s the kicker: those refineries never worked.
💣 The Allegations: Billions for Ghost Repairs
The EFCC’s investigation centers on massive disbursements made for the so-called “Turn Around Maintenance” of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries—facilities that have remained largely dormant for years.
Among those arrested is Umar Ajiya Isa, former Chief Financial Officer of NNPC, who allegedly authorized the release of billions to contractors for work that was either never done or grossly inflated2.
Also in custody are:
- Jimoh Olasunkanmi, ex-MD of Warri Refinery
- Tunde Bakare, former Warri Refinery boss
- Ahmed Adamu Dikko, ex-Port Harcourt Refinery MD
- Ibrahim Monday Onoja, another former Port Harcourt MD
🧾 Where Did the Money Go?
The EFCC is probing:
- 💸 $1.56 billion for Port Harcourt Refinery
- 💸 $740 million for Kaduna Refinery
- 💸 $656 million for Warri Refinery
That’s nearly $3 billion in just three transactions. The rest? Allegedly siphoned through kickbacks, inflated contracts, and phantom projects.
⚖️ What Happens Next?
The suspects are expected to face charges ranging from money laundering to criminal conspiracy and abuse of office.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has vowed to “go after every kobo stolen”, calling this case a litmus test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.
🧠 Final Thoughts—A Nation Tired of Ghost Projects
For years, Nigerians have watched billions vanish into the black hole of “refinery repairs” while still importing fuel. This arrest is more than a headline—it’s a reckoning.
Will justice finally be served, or will this be another case of big fish swimming free?
💬 Is this the beginning of real accountability—or just another show trial? Let’s talk.
