The Public Prosecution has detained the chairman of the Waha Oil Company’s Management Committee on charges of profiteering and abuse of power, in a case involving millions of dollars in allegedly fraudulent contracts.
According to a statement from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the official is accused of securing illicit financial gains for himself and others through questionable contracts related to operations at the Sidra Port and the Dhahra oil field. One of the contracts, for constructing wave barriers at Sidra Port, was reportedly signed for 769 million Libyan dinars—more than double the 339 million dinar bid offered by a competing company.
Further allegations suggest the chairman assigned oil field rehabilitation projects to a company established in 2022, despite its lack of relevant expertise, disbursing $140 million over two years. Additionally, he is accused of authorizing $100 million in payments to another company contracted to drill oil wells, without any actual work being completed.
Investigators are also examining reports of inflated housing contracts for employees and adjustments to service contracts totaling millions of dollars. After interrogating the accused, the Public Prosecution ordered his pretrial detention and has initiated measures to pursue other individuals implicated in the case. Authorities have also suspended the contested contracts and ordered a comprehensive review through the Audit Bureau and industry experts.
