Abuja – Responding to mounting public pressure and street protests, Nigeria’s Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, has promised an investigation into Mele Kyari, the former head of the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). This commitment follows demands for a Mele Kyari probe into alleged corruption during his leadership.
The assurance came on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, delivered by Justice Ministry Deputy Director Winifred Adekunle. She addressed lawyers protesting outside the ministry, who had just submitted a formal petition demanding Kyari’s immediate investigation. “Your petition will receive immediate attention… Your demands will not be ignored,” Adekunle assured the demonstrators.
Citizens Demand Transparency
Wednesday’s protest by the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law marked the second straight day demonstrators gathered at the Attorney General’s office. On Tuesday, the Concerned Citizens Against Corruption group also rallied, calling for a full review of Kyari’s financial dealings while leading the NNPCL, a company central to Nigeria’s economy.
The lawyers’ petition specifically targets what they call a lack of transparency and potential corruption under Kyari. They allege his tenure benefited associates and criticized the government for not investigating him sooner after his removal, which they say only occurred due to public outcry.
Spotlight on Controversial Deals
The petition raises serious questions about specific NNPCL activities under Kyari:
- Refinery Costs: Concerns surround funds spent on rehabilitating government refineries. The group claims the huge sums allocated, like a $1.5bn approval for the Port Harcourt Refinery, haven’t produced clear results. They point to reports of a separate $400m investment by Matrix Energy Limited in the same refinery, questioning the overlap and financial clarity.
- $2 Billion Crude Oil Loan: The lawyers highlighted a reported $2bn debt owed by NNPCL to Matrix Energy. They are alarmed that this debt is allegedly being repaid with 80,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Key questions include: Why does the government owe Matrix Energy? Why use crude oil for repayment? Who approved this arrangement away from public view? These questions intensify calls for a thorough Mele Kyari probe.
Calls for a Full Mele Kyari Probe
The protesting legal group urged the Attorney General to undertake several actions:
- Examine all NNPCL agreements signed during Kyari’s leadership.
- Investigate these deals to recover any lost public funds.
- Identify everyone involved in the financial discrepancies.
- Launch a fact-finding mission to determine the scale of losses.
- Create a special inquiry commission focused on the refinery projects under Kyari.
The lawyers stressed that a transparent Mele Kyari probe is essential for accountability in Nigeria’s vital oil sector and to prevent similar issues in the future. They offered their full cooperation for the investigation promised by the Attorney General.
Abdullah Korede
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