The former Chief Finance Officer, CFO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Alhaji Umar Ajiyia Isa, has denied reports in the media that he was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, 23 June over $7.2m fraud.
The former NNPCL CFO in a statement issued on Wednesday, 25 June, 2025 described the reports as false, just as he also added that, contrary to reports, he submitted himself to the EFCC and was never arrested in connection with an alleged $7.2 billion linked to transactions at the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
“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. To see in the media stories of my arrest over fraud is unfortunate,” he stated.
“I served at NNPC Limited and I left with my integrity intact. Nobody has accused me of any fraud throughout my sojourn at the company. People who are pushing this false narrative of arrests and detention just want to tarnish my reputation.” Isa said
He added that he was ready at any time to defend his reputation and years of service at the NNPCL, noting that, “I am in this country and any day and anytime the EFCC request me to appear before them, I will be present.”
