Umar A. Isa, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has publicly denied media reports linking him to an alleged $7.2 billion fraud scandal involving refinery rehabilitation funds. In a statement issued Wednesday, Isa clarified that contrary to claims circulating online, he was neither arrested nor detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Instead, he said he voluntarily submitted himself to the commission as a responsible citizen to answer questions regarding his tenure.
“I was never arrested. I submitted myself to the EFCC and was granted bail the same day. I want to make it abundantly clear that I was not accused of fraud at any time during or after my service at NNPCL,” Isa stated. He described the media reports as false and damaging, noting that his decision to visit the EFCC was prompted by a commitment to transparency and his willingness to cooperate with investigative authorities if called upon.
Isa, who served in various finance and audit roles before rising to the CFO position, stressed that he left office with his reputation intact and remains available for any clarifications. “I hold my integrity in high esteem and will never shy away from any opportunity to clear my name,” he said. The former NNPCL executive also urged the public and media to refrain from spreading misinformation that could harm reputations and interfere with ongoing investigations.
