Ex-NNPC CFO Umar Ajiya Isa Denies Arrest, Says He Voluntarily Submitted to EFCC

Umar Ajiya Isa, former Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has publicly refuted claims that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $7.2 billion fraud linked to the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Isa clarified that he voluntarily submitted himself to the EFCC for questioning and was neither arrested nor detained. “Nobody arrested me for any $7.2 billion in relation to any refinery fraud. I voluntarily submitted myself for questioning to the EFCC, and thereafter, I went home,” he said, describing media reports of his arrest as “unfortunate” and “false.” Isa emphasized that he left NNPCL with his integrity intact and has never been accused of fraud during his tenure.

The EFCC has been investigating alleged massive financial misconduct involving the disbursement and mismanagement of funds allocated for the turnaround maintenance of the three major refineries, which have historically underperformed despite billions of dollars in annual allocations. Sources within the EFCC confirmed Isa’s involvement in the probe, stating he was being investigated for alleged abuse of office, corruption, diversion of public funds, and receiving kickbacks from contractors engaged in refinery rehabilitation projects.

The total amount under scrutiny includes approximately $1.56 billion for the Port Harcourt refinery, $740 million for Kaduna, and $657 million for Warri, summing to nearly $3 billion in funds specifically examined so far. Isa, as CFO, was responsible for authorizing the release of these funds. Other top officials implicated and reportedly in EFCC custody include former Managing Directors of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, such as Jimoh Olasunkanmi and others.

Isa reaffirmed his readiness to cooperate fully with the EFCC and defend his reputation. “I am in this country, and any day and anytime the EFCC requests me to appear before them, I will be present,” he stated.

The probe continues as the EFCC intensifies its scrutiny of officials involved in the long-troubled refinery rehabilitation projects that have failed to deliver expected production outputs despite substantial government investment.

As investigations proceed, the nation watches closely for accountability and reforms that could restore efficiency and transparency in Nigeria’s vital oil industry.

Source: Premium Times