Ex-NNPCL CFO denies EFCC arrest, says he voluntarily honoured invitation

Former Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Umar Isa-Ajiya, has denied reports that he was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a $7.2 billion fraud.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Isa-Ajiya clarified that contrary to media claims, he was not arrested but had voluntarily honoured an invitation from the anti-graft agency.

He emphasized that at no point was he taken into custody in connection with any financial misconduct or questionable transactions linked to the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.

READ ALSO: EFCC arrests ex-NNPCL top official over alleged $7.2bn fraud

“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 of 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.”

Mr Ajiya said he was ready at anytime 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 requests me to appear before them I will be present”.