Abuja, Nigeria — Protesters on Tuesday stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), demanding that the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, be prosecuted for alleged corrupt practices. The protest was led by the Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, who are calling for an investigation into NNPCL’s activities over the past five years.
Kabir Matazu, the convener of the group, expressed disappointment that despite President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, no steps have yet been taken to investigate alleged corrupt transactions occurring during Kyari’s tenure. According to Matazu, the group emphasized the need for accountability and transparency, particularly regarding the rehabilitation and recommissioning of government-owned refineries.
“It is widely recognized that the removal of the corrupt leadership at the NNPCL was a positive step applauded by Nigerians,” Matazu said. “However, it is alarming that there has been no move to investigate Kyari’s management, which was marred by various corruption allegations.”
He further criticized the staggering debt of over $2 billion that NNPCL reportedly owes Matrix Energy, which is being serviced through daily crude oil allocations without the public’s knowledge of the terms involved. “Why is the Federal Government, through the NNPCL, indebted to Matrix Energy for $2 billion? This raises urgent questions that need answers,” Matazu stated.
During the protest, the group highlighted that claims concerning significant funds spent on refinery rehabilitations raise concerns about transparency. “Kyari’s administration claimed that Matrix Energy invested $400 million into the Port Harcourt Refinery while the Federal Executive Council approved $1.5 billion for the same project. The arithmetic does not add up,” Matazu added.
The protesters urged the AGF to conduct a thorough review of all agreements made by the NNPCL during Kyari’s tenure. Matazu stated, “An investigation could unveil substantial financial losses for the Federal Government and guide necessary recovery actions, especially as Nigeria’s economy grapples with numerous challenges.”
Matazu concluded the protest with a call for immediate action, demanding transparency and accountability from the government. “Nigerians have the right to know the truth about what has occurred during Kyari’s leadership,” he asserted.
