The decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to exclude the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Adedapo Segun, from the ongoing probe of the national oil company is puzzling, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have said.
According to a letter by the EFCC dated April 28, 2025, the anti-graft agency said it was probing the handling of finances and contracts related to the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, and had consequently beamed it’s searchlight on such issues as salary records and allowances of 14 key officials involved in the rehabilitation of both refineries.

The EFCC probe, according to a letter titled ‘Investigation activities request for Information’ on the alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. prompted the anti-graft agency to ask NNPCL’s current leadership to provide certified documentation on certain current and former officials.
Among the names listed in the letter are the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari; the former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), Ibrahim Onoja; and the former Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Mustafa Sugungun.

Others on the list include a former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Abubakar Yar’Adua; a former NNPC group executive director, finance & services; Isiaka Abdulrazak; a former Chief Financial Officer NNPC Limited, Umar Ajiya; the former Managing Director of the PHRC, Dikko Ahmed; a power plant engineer at PHRC, Ademoye Jelili; Manager Production at NNPC/KRPC, Efiok Akpan; Kayode Adetokunbo, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya and Desmond Inyama.

However, the glaring ommission of Adedapo Segun from persons of interest to the EFCC has cast a shadow of doubt on the true motive of the probe, the CSOs alleged.

“We are shocked that such a list could be compiled with the name Adedapo Segun missing. What then are you probing? He was the Executive Vice President (Downstream). As the EVP, downstream, he was at the time directly in charge of treasury, refinery operations, shipping, and trading. That the EFCC didn’t invite him shows that there’s more to the invitation than meets the eye,” John Ochacho, coordinator of Nigeria Transparency Initiative (NTI) told The Authority.

He continued, “We have to be careful with what we are doing and intend to achieve. If the aim is to truly to probe how the refineries were run, we have no problem with that. However, if the aim is to achieve a predetermined agenda, then we have a huge problem in our hands.
“How come EFCC is inviting all the persons they were told were involved, but conveniently left out Adedapo Segun, who, clearly, is the elephant in the room? How come Mr. President literarily fired every officer except him? Not only was he spared, he was compensated with the position of Chief Financial Officer, ” lamented Ochacho.
“Even the way fake news have been churned out in the past few days clearly shows that there are some persons pulling the strings. First, they came up with the story that the EFCC arrested some former officers, including Kyari.

“They also spun the story that EFCC found ₦80 billion in the account of another ex-official. All these turned out to be lies. It is clear these lies aren’t coming from the EFCC, because the EFCC we know wouldn’t plant falsehood to embarrass themselves. This is the handiwork of fifth columnists and our worry is that EFCC may be inadvertently playing out their script.

“Contracts for the rehabilitation of refineries is a very complex one that involves several stages. If the agenda is to nail a certain individual, then the idea is dead on arrival because we all know that the process couldn’t have begun with one individual,” he noted, adding, “it is high time EFCC stopped pursuing a witch hunt and shadows in the name of a probe.”
Also speaking, Ibrahim Chata, coordinator, Foundation for Ethics in Governance (FEG) picked holes in the EFCC letter, saying there was a hidden agenda behind the probe.

He stated, “It is wrong to allow individuals with vested interests call the shots for EFCC. The way the media space was taken over by fake news on the former NNPCL officials indicates that there was an agenda ab-initio. Clearly the voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

“Also wrong to allow individuals with vested interests call the shots for EFCC. The way the media space was taken over by fake news on the former NNPCL officials indicates that there was an agenda ab-initio. Clearly the voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are the hands of Esau,” he declared.

Pioneering Ghana’s Snapchat lens scene, Nana Mitch, also known as Padmond Annor, is doing more than just creating filters – he’s actively shaping how a generation views African culture in the digital age.

From his early recognition of a void in culturally relevant Snapchat lenses to his current collaborations with major African personalities and brands, Nana Mitch’s innovative vision is redefining the digital representation of Ghana and beyond.

His journey, alongside his twin brother Padmond Annor Jr. (Schardo Mitch) and their venture Schardo TV and Productions, showcases a commitment to capturing and celebrating African narratives.

Through his popular lens creations, entrepreneurial spirit with Relief by MB, and influential presence, Nana Mitch is undeniably a next-generation cultural architect, framing Africa’s identity one lens at a time.

Nana Mitch’s ingenuity has not gone unnoticed. His portfolio boasts the widely popular ‘’4 More For Nana’’ lens, designed for the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, showcasing his ability to tap into significant cultural moments. He has also lent his creative touch to the world of entertainment, notably modelling for Nigerian music mogul Don Jazzy’s ‘’Jazzy Burger’’ campaign.

His influence extends beyond the digital realm. Recently, Nana Mitch took on the role of creative director for the official billboard shoot of Porials Pitch, a major African trade fair event spearheaded by the dynamic businesswoman and CEO of Dulcie Porium, Dulcie Boateng. This collaboration underscores his growing reputation as a visionary creative force.

His groundbreaking contributions to the African creative scene have earned him significant recognition. Nana Mitch was deservedly named among the Keep Walking Top 30 list of African creatives by Johnnie Walker and Trace TV, hailed as one of Africa’s Next-Gen Cultural Shape Shifters.

The Centre for Fiscal Transparency in Natural Resources (CFTNR) has applauded the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its commitment to transparency, institutional accountability, and full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), following a directive by the House of Representatives for OML18 Resources Limited to remit $4.02 million to the Federation Account.

OML18 Resources, formerly Sahara Field Production Ltd, is among 45 oil and gas companies flagged in the audit report and data presented by the NUPRC as owing a combined $1.7 billion to the Nigerian government in unpaid royalties, gas flare penalties, and related liabilities.

At the resumed hearing of the House Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday, chaired by Bamidele Salam, the committee directed OML18 Resources to remit $4.02 million, 20 percent of its confirmed debt, within five days. The company was also given 14 days to reconcile its full outstanding obligations with the asset operator and submit a breakdown to the committee.

The directive followed confirmation by NUPRC that OML18 Resources owes $17.37 million in crude oil royalties, $2.86 million in gas flare penalties, and N173.7 million in gas sales revenue — a debt acknowledged by the company during the hearing.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Dr Halima Isa Lawal, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency in Natural Resources, said the intervention by NUPRC reflects a renewed seriousness in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, which aims to promote accountability and investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“NUPRC’s actions are proof that the reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act are taking root. For years, Nigeria struggled with weak oversight and opaque revenue tracking in the upstream sector. Today, we are beginning to see a new era of regulatory assertiveness,” Lawan said.

“This is not just about recovering $4.02 million; it’s about resetting expectations. Operators now understand that obligations to the state will be enforced.”

She described the Commission’s data-led regulatory approach as an example of how institutional leadership can serve the public good, praising Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of NUPRC, for driving sector-wide compliance without political interference.

“Under Engr. Komolafe’s leadership, NUPRC has shown that it is possible to uphold the rule of law in Nigeria’s most critical revenue-generating industry. The clarity, professionalism, and urgency with which the Commission is addressing outstanding liabilities deserve commendation,” Lawal said.

“These efforts go beyond just figures; they restore the credibility of our institutions and show both investors and citizens that transparency is not negotiable.”

Lawal also noted that Nigeria’s current fiscal outlook requires every dollar earned from the oil and gas sector to be accounted for.

She called for even stronger collaboration between regulatory bodies, parliament, and civil society to ensure sustained oversight and systemic change.

“In a time of economic hardship and budgetary constraints, Nigeria simply cannot afford leakages in a sector that accounts for over 70 percent of government revenue,” she said.

“What NUPRC has demonstrated is that with clarity of mandate and strong leadership, regulatory agencies can secure compliance and recover resources vital to national development.”

Lawal further urged the National Assembly to continue supporting agencies like NUPRC by upholding their independence and encouraging timely implementation of audit recommendations.

“The House Committee on Public Accounts has shown courage and resolve in tackling this issue head-on. Their collaboration with NUPRC in scrutinising these debts has proven effective, and we encourage similar action across other sectors,” the statement added.

“Let this signal a new era where rules are enforced, not ignored; where compliance is rewarded, and where failure to meet statutory obligations attracts swift penalties.”

As Nigeria continues to reposition its oil and gas sector under the PIA, stakeholders say NUPRC’s role in enforcing transparency will be crucial to achieving long-term economic resilience.

Lawal concluded by calling on other oil and gas firms to review their own records and engage proactively with regulators.

“This is a turning point. Companies should see this not as punishment, but as an opportunity to align with the new standards. Transparency is no longer optional — it is the future of Nigeria’s extractive sector.”