The Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA) has described the allegations levelled against former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), Engr. Ahmed Adamu Dikko, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a personal vendetta rather than a genuine investigation into the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Kelvin Adegbenga, the group said a careful review of the allegations in the public domain indicated that the accusations against Dikko had little connection with the refinery rehabilitation project the anti-graft agency claimed to be investigating.
According to the group, the contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery followed established procurement procedures and received the necessary approvals of the Federal Government.
The alliance further argued that Dikko was not responsible for the payment of contractors involved in the refinery rehabilitation project, stressing that the responsibility for funding, managing and paying contractors rested with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on behalf of the Federal Government.
It noted that as Managing Director of PHRC, Dikko’s responsibilities were limited to overseeing refinery operations, rehabilitation projects, maintenance activities, operational safety standards and efforts aimed at increasing refining capacity.
The group also dismissed allegations that Dikko made cash property payments worth about N218.375 million in Abuja without using financial institutions, stating that no credible evidence had been presented to support the claims.
It similarly rejected allegations concerning the retention of funds allegedly linked to contractors, including Ebenco Global Link Limited, describing them as unsubstantiated accusations lacking verifiable proof.
The statement further faulted claims that multiple bank transfers were used to conceal the origin of funds, insisting that such allegations remained unproven and unsupported by publicly available evidence.
The alliance also described as false allegations linking Dikko to the conversion of foreign currencies and the receipt of funds through third-party and family-linked accounts, maintaining that the claims were speculative and unsupported by facts.
It equally dismissed allegations that more than N300 million connected to refinery-related transactions was concealed through corporate structures and contractor-linked payments before being linked to Dikko.
Highlighting Dikko’s tenure at PHRC, the group said his primary objective was the revival of Nigeria’s refineries and the restoration of the country’s refining capacity.
According to the statement, one of his major achievements was the completion and commissioning of the 60,000 barrels-per-day old Port Harcourt Refinery in November 2024 after more than 25 years of inactivity. It added that the refinery remains operational, while rehabilitation work on the new 150,000 barrels-per-day refinery has reached an advanced stage and is nearing completion.
The alliance noted that the refinery rehabilitation project was supported by a $1 billion loan facility from Afreximbank and commended Dikko for what it described as his dedication, professionalism, transparency and accountability during his tenure.
It said these qualities earned him recognition and commendations from stakeholders within and outside the petroleum industry.
The group called on the EFCC and other relevant authorities to ensure that investigations are conducted professionally, objectively and without prejudice, warning against the use of public institutions as instruments of personal vendetta or character assassination.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice, fairness and due process, the Integrity Youth Alliance said it would continue to support the protection of the rights and reputation of Nigerian citizens.
