Umar Ajiya denies arrest over $7.2 billion refinery fraud, says he voluntarily honoured EFCC invitation and insists on his clean record at NNPC

[dropcap]R[/dropcap]efinery fraud allegation denial by Umar Ajiya has stirred national attention after reports falsely claimed that the former Chief Finance Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had been detained.

Also read: EFCC arrests ex-NNPCL CFO, former refinery boss in $7.2bn fraud case

In a personally signed statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, Umar Ajiya Isa clarified that he was never arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Instead, he explained that he presented himself to the agency voluntarily for questioning and was never held.

Addressing the public, Isa expressed concern over misleading media reports. “Nobody arrested me for any $7.2 billion concerning any refinery fraud.

I voluntarily submitted myself for questioning to the EFCC, and thereafter, I went home,” he stated.

The denial comes in response to widespread speculation linking him to suspicious transactions surrounding the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.

Isa dismissed the allegations as baseless and malicious. According to him, there is no record of fraud allegations against him throughout his service at NNPC Limited. He believes the rumours are part of a campaign to tarnish his hard-earned reputation.

He said, “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.”

Emphasising his continued availability to assist investigations, Isa assured the public of his cooperation with the EFCC whenever called upon.

He maintained that he remains in Nigeria and is ready to appear before the commission if required. “I am in this country, and any day and anytime the EFCC requests me to appear before them, I will be present,” he affirmed.

The incident reflects ongoing public scrutiny of the oil sector and the sensitive nature of anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.