A group of demonstrators under the banner of 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 investigation and prosecution of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
Led by their convener, Kabir Matazu, the protesters called for a thorough probe into NNPCL’s transactions over the past five years, expressing dismay that no investigative steps have been taken since President Bola Tinubu dismissed Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025.
The group raised concerns over alleged corrupt practices during Kyari’s tenure, particularly regarding the controversial rehabilitation and recommissioning of government-owned refineries, claiming billions of dollars were expended without transparency or accountability.
They also flagged a troubling financial arrangement in which NNPCL is reportedly indebted to Matrix Energy to the tune of over $2 billion, a debt they say is being serviced through daily crude oil allocations without corresponding payments.
“It is well-documented that the removal of Kyari and the NNPCL board was widely welcomed by Nigerians, particularly by advocacy groups like ours that have long demanded transparency and accountability,” Matazu stated.
He added, “Kyari’s tenure was marked by several corruption allegations tied to a lack of openness in NNPCL operations. Nigerians are frustrated that the government has stopped at merely dismissing the leadership without initiating a proper investigation into Kyari’s stewardship. The alleged fraud in the refinery rehabilitation project is especially concerning—the numbers don’t add up.”
Matazu cited conflicting claims around the Port Harcourt Refinery, where Kyari’s administration said Matrix Energy invested $400 million in its rehabilitation, despite a prior Federal Executive Council approval of $1.5 billion for the same purpose.
“Even more puzzling is NNPCL’s reported $2 billion debt to Matrix Energy. This debt is allegedly being paid off with crude oil supplies, and no payments are being made in return,” he said.
“This raises critical questions: Why is the NNPCL indebted to Matrix Energy? How was this deal negotiated? Why are these transactions shrouded in secrecy? Nigerians deserve answers.”
The group stressed that probing these deals is essential for holding past leaders accountable and recovering public funds, especially in light of the country’s current economic hardship.
“An investigation would help trace how public resources were misused and identify any recoverable funds. It’s also vital for preventing similar mismanagement in the future,” Matazu stated.
They urged the AGF to immediately review all agreements entered into by the NNPCL during Kyari’s leadership, and to recommend actionable steps to recover any misappropriated funds.
“We are calling for an urgent judicial review and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the NNPCL’s handling of refinery projects under Kyari and the dissolved board,” the group demanded.
The protesters reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing accountability and transparency, insisting that Nigerians have a right to know the truth about the alleged corruption under Kyari’s administration.
