Massive Protest Erupts At AGF’s Office Over Mele Kyari’s NNPCL Deals – Demands Judicial Review

A group of anti-corruption activists, operating under the name Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, held a peaceful protest on Tuesday at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice in Abuja.

The protesters called for the prosecution of Mele Kyari, the recently dismissed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and demanded a comprehensive investigation into the financial dealings of NNPCL over the past five years. Comrade Kabir Matazu, the leader of the group, expressed frustration over the lack of action from the federal government following Kyari’s removal and the disbandment of the NNPCL board by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025.

Despite the high-profile changes, the protesters pointed out that no steps have been taken to investigate Kyari’s tenure or the corruption allegations surrounding his leadership. The group highlighted several concerning issues, particularly the alleged financial mismanagement related to the refurbishment and reactivation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, claiming billions of dollars had been spent without sufficient transparency.

Additionally, the group drew attention to a troubling financial situation where NNPCL is reported to owe Matrix Energy over $2 billion, with the debt being repaid through daily crude oil allocations, a process they believe lacks proper transparency.

Matazu stated, “It is on record that the removal of the former corrupt leadership of NNPCL was celebrated by Nigerians, especially groups like ours, who have long advocated for accountability and transparency in the management of institutions.”

He continued, “It is also important to note that Kyari’s leadership of the NNPCL was marred by numerous allegations of corruption, attributed to a lack of transparency.”

Matazu emphasized that Nigerians are disappointed that, despite the leadership shake-up, President Tinubu has not taken further steps to investigate how Kyari and his team managed the organization. He also pointed to the alleged fraud surrounding the rehabilitation of the refineries, noting, “The figures and facts simply don’t add up.”