A former Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) Limited, Umar Ajiya Isa has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged $7.2 billion refineries maintenance fraud.
Penpushing reports that sources revealed that the former chief financial officer was detained by the agency along with Jimoh Olasunkanmi a former Managing Director of Warri Refinery, over the alleged crime
The Head Media and Publicity of the commission Dele Oyewale was yet to make any official statement on the development as at the time of filing this report, but sources said Isa was arrested in connection with alleged $7.2billion fraud associated with the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
Penpushing further reports that the three refineries have underperformed and recorded zero production over the years despite annual allocation of turnaround maintenance to them.
The sources added that Isa was in charge of release of funds for the Turn Around Maintenance of the three refineries, adding that the three key officials and others involved in other corporation’s projects are being investigated for alleged abuse of office, corruption, diversion of funds and kickbacks from contractors.
Penpushing also reports the sources disclosed that other officials facing probe include Tunde Bakare, Managing Director, Warri Refinery; Ahmed Adamu Dikko, former Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refinery, and Ibrahim Monday Onoja, former Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refinery.
