A group of demonstrators under the name Concerned Citizens Against Corruption on Tuesday stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), demanding the prosecution of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
The protest, led by the group’s convener Kabir Matazu, called for a comprehensive investigation into the NNPCL’s financial transactions over the past five years.
Matazu expressed disappointment that despite President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, the federal government has yet to initiate any formal inquiry into the alleged mismanagement and corruption under Kyari’s leadership.
According to Matazu, Kyari’s tenure at the helm of NNPCL was riddled with secrecy and questionable financial decisions, particularly around the rehabilitation and recommissioning of government-owned refineries.
The group alleged that billions of dollars were spent on refinery repairs without transparency, and that Nigerians have been kept in the dark regarding how those funds were managed.
One major concern raised by the group was the reported $2 billion debt owed by the NNPCL to Matrix Energy Limited.
They claimed the debt is currently being serviced through daily allocations of crude oil, with no record of corresponding payments. This arrangement, they argued, raises serious questions about accountability, transparency, and due process.
Matazu further claimed that despite the Federal Executive Council approving $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Kyari’s administration also claimed that Matrix Energy invested an additional $400 million into the same project.
The group described the financial inconsistencies as troubling and demanded answers on who negotiated these deals and why Nigerians were not informed.
He emphasized that removing Kyari without a proper investigation into his administration’s dealings at NNPCL leaves too many questions unanswered.
He noted that only a thorough probe would help uncover how public resources were used and identify funds that need to be recovered, particularly in light of the nation’s current economic crisis.
The group urged the Attorney General to initiate a judicial review and push for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into all agreements and transactions carried out under Kyari’s leadership, especially those related to refinery repairs and oil allocation.
They vowed to continue demanding accountability, stressing that Nigerians deserve to know the truth about what transpired during Kyari’s leadership.
According to Matazu, addressing these concerns is vital not just for justice, but to ensure that the current and future management of NNPCL does not repeat past mistakes.