Scores of demonstrators on Tuesday besieged the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, demanding a thorough investigation into the tenure of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.
The protesters, operating under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption (CCAC), trooped to the Federal Ministry of Justice Headquarters in Abuja, wielding placards and chanting anti-corruption slogans.
Led by their Convener, Comrade Kabir Matazu, the group said it was “deeply disappointed” that despite President Bola Tinubu’s decision to sack Kyari and dissolve the NNPCL board on April 2, no investigative action had been initiated against the former NNPCL leadership.
“The removal of Mele Kyari and his board was welcomed by Nigerians, especially those of us who have long campaigned for accountability in public institutions,” Matazu told reporters.
“However, the failure to follow up with an investigation into allegations of corruption is a missed opportunity for justice.”
CCAC raised concerns over the alleged mismanagement of funds earmarked for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s ailing refineries, claiming that billions of dollars were spent under questionable circumstances.
In a petition submitted to the AGF’s office, the group highlighted the alleged $2 billion debt owed by NNPCL to Matrix Energy Limited — a debt they claim is being serviced through daily allocations of crude oil without transparency.
The group questioned the terms of the reported debt arrangement with Matrix Energy, including the company’s purported $400 million investment in the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation, despite a separate $1.5 billion approval by the Federal Executive Council for the same project.
“There are posers that must be addressed: Who negotiated these deals? Why are we paying with crude oil? And why are Nigerians being left in the dark?” Matazu queried.
He stressed that an investigation would not only expose potential fraud but also help recover public funds, particularly as the nation grapples with economic challenges.
CCAC further called for the constitution of a commission of inquiry to scrutinize all refinery repair contracts executed during Kyari’s tenure.
They also demanded a judicial review of all agreements entered into by NNPCL under Kyari’s leadership, insisting that transparency is crucial to prevent a recurrence of mismanagement.
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