Protesters storm justice ministry, demand probe of Ex-NNPCL boss Mele Kyari

Scores of protesters on Tuesday stormed the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, calling on the Attorney General of the Federation to launch a full-scale probe into the tenure of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.

The demonstrators, operating under the aegis of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption (CCAC), submitted a petition to the office of the Attorney General, raising alarm over what they described as “countless and endless allegations of corruption” during Kyari’s leadership at the NNPCL.

Leading the protest, CCAC Convener Comrade Kabir Matazu expressed dismay that, despite President Bola Tinubu’s decision to sack Kyari and dissolve the NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, there has been no follow-up investigation into the company’s financial dealings over the past five years.

“A sore point is the alleged fraud surrounding the rehabilitation and restreaming of government-owned refineries,” Matazu said. “The figures and facts simply do not add up.”

The group cited the alleged $2 billion debt owed to Matrix Energy, purportedly serviced through daily crude oil allocations.

They questioned the transparency of agreements under Kyari’s leadership, particularly in relation to the Port Harcourt Refinery.

Matazu added that the public deserved answers on how $1.5 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council for refinery repairs relates to the separate $400 million investment reportedly made by Matrix Energy.

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He further demanded an explanation for the alleged non-transparent deals that left Nigeria’s refineries in disrepair despite massive financial inputs.

The CCAC urged the Minister of Justice to:

• Review all agreements signed by the NNPCL under Kyari.

• Determine financial losses incurred by the Federal Government.

• Recommend recovery measures for misappropriated or mismanaged funds.

• Establish a commission of inquiry to examine contract awards for refinery repairs under the former NNPCL leadership.

The group emphasized that such investigations are crucial not only for justice but also for safeguarding future administrations from repeating costly mistakes.

“We strongly believe that holding past leaders accountable is a prerequisite for ensuring that public resources are used transparently and responsibly,” Matazu said.