Mele Kyari, former group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has denied being in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
TheCable had erroneously reported that he was in EFCC custody but the story has now been retracted after the newspaper confirmed it was another former senior NNPC figure that was being questioned.
Kyari is expected to be invited for questioning “whenever he becomes available” .
In a tweet on Saturday evening, Kyari said his conscience is clear and that he is proud of his service to Nigeria and to God over the past three decades.
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The former NNPC boss noted that he is ready to respond to all lawful queries concerning his tenure.
“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. So, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve under their Excellencies Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
“I must emphasize 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.”
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Kyari said he is currently taking a much-needed break after the recent dissolution of the board and management of NNPCL.
“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,” he added.
“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.”
On April 2, Tinubu removed Kyari citing the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC”.
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As part of the overhaul, the president appointed Bayo Ojulari to replace Kyari as the new group CEO, and Ahmadu Musa Kida as NNPC’s new non-executive chairman, replacing Pius Akinyelure.
