Concerned citizens stormed the AGF’s office demanding investigation and prosecution of ex-NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari for alleged mismanagement and corruption during his tenure, citing opaque refinery deals and a $2bn debt to Matrix Energy

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] group of protesters, under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, today besieged the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), demanding the immediate investigation and prosecution of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

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The protesters, led by their convener, Kabir Matazu, called on the AGF to launch a thorough probe into the financial transactions of the NNPCL during Mele Kyari’s five-year tenure.

They expressed disappointment that despite President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, no concrete steps have been taken to investigate alleged corrupt practices.

The group highlighted several areas of concern, particularly the controversies surrounding the rehabilitation and recommissioning of government-owned refineries.

They alleged a lack of transparency in the expenditure of billions of dollars allocated for these projects.

Furthermore, the protesters drew attention to a reported $2 billion debt owed by the NNPCL to Matrix Energy, which is allegedly being serviced through daily crude oil allocations without any corresponding payments. They raised critical questions about the legitimacy and terms of this agreement.

“It is on record that the removal of the erstwhile corrupt leadership of the NNPCL was widely applauded by Nigerians, especially groups like ours that have been at the forefront of demanding accountability and transparency in the management of institutions,” stated Kabir Matazu.

“It is also notable that Kyari’s leadership of the NNPCL was plagued by numerous allegations of corruption due to a lack of transparency.

Nigerians are disillusioned that the President has only stopped at removing the former leadership without initiating steps to investigate Kyari and his team’s management of the organisation,” said Kabir Matazu, convener of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption.

Nigerians are disillusioned that the President has only stopped at removing the former leadership without initiating steps to investigate Kyari and his team’s management of the organisation.”

Matazu further emphasized the alleged discrepancies in refinery rehabilitation costs, stating, “A key issue is the alleged fraud surrounding the rehabilitation and recommissioning of government-owned refineries.

The figures and facts simply do not add up.” He also questioned the purported $400 million investment by Matrix Energy in the Port Harcourt Refinery, especially considering the Federal Executive Council’s approval of $1.5 billion for the same facility.

The group demanded answers regarding the NNPCL’s $2 billion debt to Matrix Energy, questioning the rationale behind the debt, the daily crude oil allocation as a means of repayment, the parties involved in the negotiation, and the secrecy surrounding these agreements.

Concerned Citizens Against Corruption stressed that a thorough investigation would enable the Federal Government to account for public resources utilized under Kyari’s leadership, potentially recover misappropriated funds, and ensure accountability within the current NNPCL administration.

“An investigation into these questionable transactions would help the government identify funds that need to be recovered and from whom, especially considering Nigeria’s dire economic condition,” Matazu asserted.

“Furthermore, such an investigation would ensure that the current leadership is held accountable and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.”

The protesters urged the Attorney General to immediately review all agreements entered into by the NNPCL during Mele Kyari’s tenure, aiming to uncover financial losses and recommend actionable steps for recovery.

“This investigation should uncover the Federal Government’s financial losses and recommend actionable steps to recover these funds. We demand an immediate judicial review,” Matazu declared.

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The group vowed to continue their advocacy for accountability and transparency in the management of Nigeria’s institutions, emphasizing the public’s right to know the truth about the alleged corrupt practices under the former NNPCL leadership.