ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Umar Ajiya, has denied reports suggesting that he was arrested or detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an alleged $7.2 billion fraud linked to refinery rehabilitation projects.
The reports, which circulated widely across several online platforms, alleged that Ajiya was in EFCC custody over questionable financial dealings tied to the long-delayed overhaul of Nigeria’s major refineries—Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the claims on Tuesday, Ajiya described the allegations as “entirely false and misleading,” stating that he has not been invited, arrested, or interrogated by the EFCC regarding any such matter.
“I was never arrested by the EFCC or any other law enforcement agency. The report is not only baseless but also aimed at tarnishing my image and reputation built over decades of public service,” he said in a statement.
He further urged the media to uphold journalistic integrity by verifying sensitive reports before publication, especially when reputations are at stake.
The EFCC, while maintaining silence on the specific case, has intensified investigations into the spending on refinery rehabilitation, a recurring subject of public scrutiny due to billions of dollars disbursed over the years with minimal results. Despite various contracts awarded under different administrations, Nigeria’s refineries have consistently failed to operate at functional capacity.
Stakeholders and civil society groups have also continued to demand transparency in the sector, urging anti-corruption agencies to publish verified outcomes of their findings to reassure Nigerians of accountability in public office.
At the time of this report, the NNPCL has not issued an official response regarding the situation, but pressure continues to mount on the government to ensure that funds committed to refinery upgrades are properly audited and those responsible for any mismanagement are held accountable.