A coalition of legal professionals under the name Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law has announced plans to submit a formal petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, calling for the probe, arrest, and prosecution of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
This move comes in the wake of Kyari’s removal from office on April 2, 2025, after nearly six years at the helm, and follows a similar petition submitted to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the group revealed that the petition—co-signed by its convener Emmanuel Agada and National Secretary Jonathan Uchendu—accuses Kyari of running a corrupt and opaque administration, with allegations spanning financial irregularities and misuse of public assets.
The group staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, where they submitted their petition dated April 23, 2025.
Among their chief concerns is a controversial $2bn debt allegedly owed by the NNPCL to Matrix Energy Limited, which is reportedly being repaid through a crude-for-loan agreement involving the allocation of 80,000 barrels of oil daily.
They also pointed to discrepancies surrounding the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation, where Matrix Energy reportedly invested $400m, despite an earlier $1.5bn Federal Executive Council approval for the same purpose.
In their petition, the lawyers demanded full disclosure of all contracts and financial dealings approved during Kyari’s leadership, a recovery plan for mismanaged public funds, and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the refinery rehabilitation deals.
They emphasized that only a thorough investigation could ensure accountability, deter future abuse, and rebuild public trust in the NNPCL.
Deputy Director Winifred Adekunle received the petition on behalf of the AGF and assured the group that their concerns would be addressed with urgency and transparency.
The protest marks the second day of public demonstrations demanding a probe into Kyari’s handling of the NNPCL, with another group, Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, submitting a similar petition earlier in the week.
The calls for action continue to mount amid rising scrutiny over NNPCL’s financial dealings under Kyari’s watch.
