Former group chief executive ffficer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has dismissed claims that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the reports as deliberate misinformation aimed at tarnishing his image.
In a post shared on his official X handle on Saturday, Kyari denounced the rumour as “clear mischief” and “a calculated attempt” by its sponsors to spread falsehood.
“Over the past few days and in particular in the past two hours, I have been inundated with calls from concerned family and friends over claims by an online newspaper that I was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,” he wrote.
“This is clear mischief and a calculated attempt by the newspaper and its sponsors to achieve a desired outcome, which only them know.”
Kyari clarified that he is currently taking “a well-deserved rest” following the dissolution of the NNPCL management and board, after serving the company for 34 years, 17 of which were in top management roles and nearly six as its head.
“At present, I am taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL, of which I was the Group Chief Executive. It should be stated that having served the NNPC and the NNPCL for 34 years, and 17 of those in management roles and especially the last 5 years and 9 months, I had little time for leave of even two weeks,” he wrote.
He expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve under former president Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He stressed that he served with integrity, guided by his faith and fear of divine judgment.
“I must emphasise that I served with the fear of God knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man. Therefore, having served in public capacity, I am willing and happy to account for my stewardship in this world.”
Kyari also warned that such disinformation campaigns could have wider national consequences.
“However, it is important to state that the resort to disinformation does not serve anyone’s purpose, the NNPCL or the country in general, as it has the potential to send the wrong signals to investors and the international community,” he cautioned.
Calling on the media to exercise restraint and verify information before publication, Kyari urged journalists not to be “stampeded into misleading the public.”
“It is in this regard that I urge the media to be circumspect and avoid being stampeded into misleading the public on unverified stories or matters that are subject to further validation by relevant organisations,” he added.
Kyari ended by thanking family and friends for their support, assuring them of his readiness to cooperate with any legitimate investigation.
“I sincerely thank my family and friends who have reached out to me or tried to do so and assure them that I am available to respond to all lawful queries.”
His statement comes amid reports that the EFCC has opened investigations into alleged financial misconduct involving top former officials of NNPCL, including Kyari and former chief operating officer, Abubakar Yar’Adua.
EFCC had reportedly requested records of salaries and allowances paid to 14 past and present officials.
