A civil society group, Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, has called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to launch an immediate investigation into the financial activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
The protesters, who gathered at the Ministry of Justice in Abuja on Tuesday, accused Kyari’s administration of facilitating questionable transactions and overseeing a debt of over $2 billion allegedly owed to Matrix Energy Limited. The group claimed that this debt is being settled through daily allocations of crude oil, without any transparent payment structure.
Kabir Matazu, the group’s convener, questioned the secrecy surrounding the deal and demanded answers from the government. “It is important for Nigerians to understand how such a massive debt was incurred, who authorized it, and why crude oil is being used as a means of repayment,” he stated.
They further criticized the lack of public disclosure regarding the deal and raised concerns about the transparency of NNPCL’s operations over the past five years. The group insisted that only a full-scale audit and judicial review would reveal the truth behind the transactions.
“This is not just about numbers; it’s about public trust and national accountability. “With the country facing severe economic pressure, it is crucial to trace every misused kobo and recover public funds wherever possible.”
The group also urged the Attorney General to revisit all agreements signed by the NNPCL during Kyari’s leadership, particularly those involving the rehabilitation of government-owned refineries. According to them, despite billions of dollars reportedly spent, there is little to no visible progress on refinery projects.
Citing inconsistencies, the group claimed that while the Federal Executive Council approved $1.5 billion for the Port Harcourt Refinery’s rehabilitation, Matrix Energy was also said to have invested $400 million into the same facility—raising further doubts about financial transparency during Kyari’s tenure.
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Although President Bola Tinubu dismissed Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, the group expressed concern that no formal probe has followed. They warned that removing officials without addressing the alleged misconduct could set a dangerous precedent.
“Our campaign is not personal. It is about securing accountability for actions taken while managing public institutions,” Matazu added. “Nigerians deserve clarity on how national resources were handled, and we will continue to demand it until concrete steps are taken.
