The head of the Oil and Gas Workers Union, Salem Al-Rumeih, has urged the Attorney General to launch a corruption investigation against Farhat Bengdara, the recently resigned head of the National Oil Corporation (NOC).
Al-Rumeih alleges that Bengdara misappropriated $230 million from Dubai Bank, which Bengdara heads and in which Libya holds a 60% stake. According to Al-Rumeih, the funds were handed over to three Emirati security firms in 2019, and the amount has yet to be reimbursed.
A related complaint was reportedly submitted by Libya’s Central Bank in July 2024, but no action has been taken by the Attorney General to date.
Al-Rumeih also accused the UAE of blocking the appointment of a new board of directors for Dubai Bank, preventing officials from traveling to the country by denying entry visas.
Farhat Bengdara, who had served as the NOC chairman since 2022, resigned last week citing health reasons.