The Nigerian Immigration Service has flagged the passports of certain officials implicated in the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s key refineries—Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.

This move is aimed at preventing the individuals from fleeing the country while investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are ongoing, according to The Punch.

It was previously reported that the recently dismissed managing directors, along with other top officials of the refineries, had been arrested as part of the EFCC’s probe. The flagged passports suggest a coordinated effort between the NIS and EFCC to ensure accountability and prevent obstruction of justice.

It was gathered that EFCC is investigating the alleged mismanagement of a total of $2,956,872,622.36 allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s three major refineries.

The disbursements under scrutiny include:$1,559,239,084.36 for the Port Harcourt Refinery, $740,669,600 for the Kaduna Refinery,$656,963,938 for the Warri Refinery

A senior official of the EFCC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the arrest of the former managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries—as well as other top officials—was part of a broader investigation into the alleged mismanagement of billions of dollars disbursed for the quick-fix maintenance of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.

“We are investigating the funds released for the rehabilitation of all three refineries—money disbursed in recent times. All the principal officers within that time frame are being invited.

“Some have been arrested already, and we are still on the lookout for others. Nigerians are interested in seeing our refineries work. We are asking: where is the money, and what has happened to the refineries?” the official stated.

A source has revealed that the ongoing investigation into refinery management is extensive, targeting all major individuals involved during the period under review.

Additionally, a senior official in the Nigerian Immigration Service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed on Monday that 16 individuals have been placed on a watchlist to prevent them from leaving the country.

Although the source did not disclose the names or positions of those listed, he confirmed that the directive was received recently.

“We received 16 names some days ago with instructions to flag them. This means they should not be allowed to travel out of the country,” the source said.

Spokespersons for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Immigration Service could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.