Nigeria Refinery Rehabilitation Fraud Probe

The Nigeria — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is conducting an extensive investigation into the alleged diversion of approximately $2.79 billion released between 2021 and 2023 for the rehabilitation and turnaround maintenance of Nigeria's state-owned refineries, including Nigeria — Port Harcourt, Nigerian National Petroleum Company — Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, and Nigerian National Petroleum Company — Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company. The probe has uncovered widespread violations of contractual procedures, questionable payment approvals, and alleged manipulation of procurement processes. So far, the Nigeria — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered over N38.66 billion in cash and assets. Several former and serving officials of the NNPC (NNPCL) and its subsidiary, Haolu Engineering and Technology Company, along with major contractors like United Engineering Construction and Maire Tecnimont, are under scrutiny. Notably, former Nigeria — Port Harcourt Managing Director Hajia Adama Ahmed Adamu and Nigerian National Petroleum Company — Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company official Jimoh Yisawu have been implicated, with assets traced to them placed under interim forfeiture. The investigation is ongoing, with further recoveries and prosecutions expected, raising significant concerns about the effectiveness of Nigeria's refinery rehabilitation programs.