Fuel officials detained over corruption probe

The Attorney General has ordered the pretrial detention of a sales official at Brega Oil Marketing Company and the managers of five major fuel distribution firms as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in the fuel supply sector.

In a statement, the Attorney General’s Office said the investigation uncovered deliberate practices by distribution company officials to restrict citizens’ access to fuel. This was allegedly carried out by allocating supplies to fictitious petrol stations and others linked to fuel smuggling networks.

Investigators also found evidence of manipulation of fuel station location data through GPS systems, with some stations appearing to be located outside the country or at sea. The Brega sales official is accused of granting subsidised fuel to private entities in breach of regulations.

Authorities have ordered the closure of 36 fuel stations found to be in violation, and say efforts are ongoing to pursue other suspects. The office added that legal action would be taken against anyone proven to have harmed public interests or the national economy.