Abuja, April 22, 2025 — A coalition of demonstrators under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption staged a protest on Tuesday at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), calling for the immediate prosecution of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

Led by the group’s convener, Kabir Matazu, the protesters expressed frustration over the federal government’s failure to initiate any investigation into Kyari’s tenure, despite President Bola Tinubu’s recent dismissal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025.

“It is on record that the removal of the erstwhile leadership of the NNPCL was widely applauded by Nigerians,” Matazu told reporters. “But this move is incomplete without a comprehensive probe into the alleged corruption and mismanagement that characterised Kyari’s administration.”

The group accused Kyari’s leadership of overseeing opaque transactions, particularly in the rehabilitation and recommissioning of government-owned refineries, which they claim involved billions of dollars in spending without adequate accountability.

One of the most troubling allegations raised by the group involves a reported $2 billion debt owed by the NNPCL to Matrix Energy Limited, purportedly being serviced through daily crude oil allocations, without transparent documentation or public disclosure.

“Kyari’s administration claimed Matrix Energy invested $400 million in the Port Harcourt Refinery,” Matazu said. “Yet the Federal Executive Council had already approved $1.5 billion for the same project. The figures simply do not add up.”

The group also questioned the nature of the deal with Matrix Energy, demanding clarity on who negotiated the agreement and why crude oil is being used to offset a debt the public was never informed about.

“This situation raises urgent questions: Why is the NNPCL indebted to Matrix Energy for $2 billion? Why is this debt being paid through daily crude oil deliveries? Who signed off on these arrangements? Nigerians deserve answers,” Matazu stated.

The protesters urged the Attorney General to launch an immediate judicial review of all contracts and agreements entered into by the NNPCL during Kyari’s tenure. They also called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to scrutinise the company’s handling of refinery rehabilitation projects.

“Given Nigeria’s economic challenges, it is imperative that public resources allegedly misused under Kyari’s leadership are traced, recovered, and the culprits held accountable,” the group said.

They vowed to sustain their advocacy until the federal government takes decisive action, emphasizing that transparency and accountability are essential to rebuilding public trust in national institutions.

As of press time, neither the AGF’s office nor the NNPCL has issued an official response to the protest or the allegations raised by the group.