Story written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited Abuja, Nigeria – April 22, 2025 – A coalition of civil society activists under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption staged a massive protest at the Federal Ministry of Justice, demanding a comprehensive probe into the tenure of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group CEO, Mele Kyari.

The demonstrators, led by the group’s Convener, Comrade Kabir Matazu, criticized the lack of accountability following the removal of Kyari and the dissolution of the NNPCL board by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025. Despite the decisive action by the presidency, the protesters expressed frustration over the government’s silence on launching an investigation into alleged financial mismanagement under Kyari’s leadership.

Call for Transparency in NNPCL Refinery Projects

Protesters specifically pointed to controversies surrounding the rehabilitation and restreaming of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, claiming that billions of dollars were expended without clear accountability or public disclosure.

“It is commendable that President Tinubu took the bold step to sack the former NNPCL leadership, but Nigerians are demanding more than just removal. We want a full-scale investigation into the alleged corruption, particularly in the handling of refinery rehabilitation projects,” Matazu said during the protest.

He noted that Kyari’s tenure was riddled with allegations of opacity, especially in dealings involving multi-billion-dollar contracts for the refineries that continue to remain non-functional despite hefty investments.

Demand for Judicial Review and Probe Panel

The group urged Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to launch an immediate judicial review of all agreements and financial transactions entered into by the NNPCL during Kyari’s administration. They also called for the formation of a commission of inquiry to trace and potentially recover public funds linked to controversial refinery contracts.

“This is not just about what happened in the past; it’s about protecting the future. A transparent probe will help identify loopholes, recover misused funds, and set a precedent for holding both past and current leaders accountable,” Matazu added.

Public Trust and Economic Accountability at Stake

The demonstrators emphasized that transparency in the petroleum sector is crucial at a time when Nigeria faces pressing economic challenges and rising public concern over the management of national resources.

They vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations and public engagement campaigns until concrete steps are taken by the Federal Government to investigate the financial dealings under Kyari’s leadership and enforce transparency in the oil and gas sector.

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