Alleged Fraud: EFCC Places Ex NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari On Watch List As Court Freezes Accounts

Kyari

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed a former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on its watchlist over the ongoing probe into the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance, Daily Trust can report.

This is just as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered a temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to him over allegations of fraud.

Multiple sources at the EFCC told our correspondent on Tuesday that investigations into the activities of the NNPCL during the period Kyari held sway reached an advanced stage last month after his close associates were arrested. Kyari’s associates had been interrogated on how some funds earmarked for the maintenance of the country’s refineries were managed.

It was gathered that documents and other necessary information had since been obtained by the crack detectives investigating how the fund meant for the refineries’ turn-around maintenance was used.

A highly placed official of the EFCC, who asked not to be mentioned, told our correspondent that the commission would soon invite Kyari for interrogation.

“I can assure you that we have even gone far with his (Kyari’s) investigation. Don’t forget that in criminal investigations, territorial integrity and territorial boundaries of countries have no effect on criminal investigations.

“This is because the anti-corruption agencies operate at the transnational level, whether somebody leaves the country or not, it has nothing to do with our investigations, because whenever we need him, we will get him, and he’s already on our watch list,” the official said.

Another EFCC source, revealed: “We’re investigating him (Mele Kyari) and our investigation has reached an advanced stage. How is it possible that we will not investigate him? When those around him are already being investigated!