Ex-NNPCL CFO Refutes Arrest Rumours, Denies $7.2bn Fraud Allegations

Umar Ajiya Isa, a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has publicly denied being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an alleged $7.2 billion fraud related to refinery operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Isa clarified that contrary to media reports suggesting he had been taken into custody, he had voluntarily appeared before the EFCC and was never detained. He described the arrest claims as false and damaging to his personal and professional integrity.

“I was not arrested for any $7.2 billion fraud. I walked into the EFCC on my own accord and left afterwards. These claims are misleading and aimed at tarnishing my image,” Isa said.

He further stated that during his tenure at NNPCL, no allegations of fraud were ever raised against him and affirmed his willingness to respond to any official invitation from the anti-graft agency.

This clarification follows widespread reports that Isa was being investigated for suspicious transactions linked to Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.

Meanwhile, Naija News recalls that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Aliyu Wadada, recently expressed concern over trillions of naira in discrepancies found in the audited financial statements of NNPCL, spanning 2017 to 2023.

In response, the Senate committee has issued 11 critical queries to NNPCL’s finance department and given them a one-week deadline to provide detailed explanations.