Under the banner of the Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), the group described the $4 billion allegedly squandered on failed refinery rehabilitation projects as nothing short of “economic treason.” They accused Kyari of betraying Nigeria’s economic future and insisted on a forensic audit to trace misappropriated funds.
Speaking at the demonstration, CLCN spokesperson Barr. Theophilus Ojonugwa condemned Kyari’s alleged attempt to “parade himself as a statesman” despite what he called a legacy of financial recklessness.
“This is not merely a financial crime; it is an assault on human dignity and a subversion of national development,” Ojonugwa said, linking the scandal to the fuel queues, import dependency, and economic strain currently faced by millions of Nigerians.
The activists framed the alleged diversion of $4 billion as a betrayal of intergenerational trust, pointing to the unbuilt schools, unequipped hospitals, and lost jobs that could have been funded with the money. They further alleged that a company linked to Kyari’s in-law was used as a conduit for laundering illicit proceeds.
“Justice must be blind and uncompromising. Treating Kyari with velvet gloves risks cementing Nigeria’s reputation as a sanctuary for looters,” Ojonugwa warned.
The group demanded Kyari’s immediate arrest, the prosecution of all alleged accomplices, and the confiscation of assets tied to the scandal. They also called for an independent forensic audit by reputable international firms to ensure transparency.
In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the CLCN urged him to make the Kyari case a “watershed moment”in his anti-corruption crusade.
“If $4 billion had been properly invested, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in refining today,” Ojonugwa lamented, describing the scandal as a double tragedy—lost funds and prolonged energy poverty.
The group also charged the EFCC with restoring public trust by taking decisive action. They warned that Nigerians would hold the agency accountable if the case was mishandled.
Closing their address, the CLCN urged citizens to continue pressing for justice:
“The destiny of our nation rests in the courage of its people,” Ojonugwa declared.
