A group of lawyers and civil society organizations have submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), calling for an investigation into the activities of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). The petition alleges that Kyari was involved in corruption, fraud, tax evasion, and abuse of office during his tenure from 2019 to 2025.
The petition follows similar actions earlier in the week, when protesters under the banner of “Concerned Citizens Against Corruption” demanded a thorough investigation into Kyari’s leadership and the NNPCL’s activities. On Wednesday, a group of lawyers, led by the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, also marched to the Federal Ministry of Justice Headquarters, submitting a petition to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). These actions highlight growing public concerns over Kyari’s management of the country’s oil and gas sector.
The petition, received by the EFCC on Friday, specifically alleges that Kyari misappropriated funds and colluded with consultants and contractors to inflate the costs of refinery rehabilitation projects, evade taxes, and carry out financial transactions without proper oversight. One of the key allegations relates to the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, where the group claims $1.5 billion was spent, despite an initial estimate of $1 billion.
The lawyers also raised concerns over Kyari’s involvement in the AKK Gas Pipeline Project, which was initially valued at $5 billion but has allegedly been plagued by irregularities in contract awards and execution. Furthermore, the petitioners claim that under Kyari’s leadership, the NNPCL increased its fuel imports during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though global fuel consumption was declining at the time.
Another significant issue raised in the petition is the use of crude-backed loans. The petitioners allege that NNPCL took out loans amounting to $21.565 billion since 2019, without transparent reporting on how the funds were used or their economic impact on Nigeria.
In addition to these concerns, the petitioners call for a forensic audit of all payments made to consultants and contractors from 2019 to 2025, as well as an investigation into suspected tax evasion in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesman, confirmed receiving the petition and assured the petitioners that the commission would address the issues raised. “The issues raised in the petition will be looked into and addressed,” he said, indicating that the EFCC is set to take action on the matter.
The allegations against Kyari have sparked widespread attention and criticism, with many calling for swift action to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing in the management of Nigeria’s oil sector. As the EFCC begins its investigation, many are hopeful that it will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the country’s oil and gas industry, which is often beset by corruption and mismanagement.
