..concerned Citizens Rally Outside AGF’s Office, Highlight Allegations of Corruption in Oil Sector

On Tuesday, a determined group of over 5,000 protesters affiliated with the Concerned Citizens Against Corruption converged on the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice. Their mission was clear: to demand the prosecution of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and an extensive investigation into the company's activities during his five-year tenure.

The protest, led by its Convener, Comrade Kabir Matazu, underscored the frustration of many Nigerians who feel that the removal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025, should have been accompanied by a rigorous investigation into the alleged corrupt practices that characterized Kyari's leadership.

Matazu expressed the group's disappointment, stating, "It is on record that this sack of the erstwhile corrupt leadership of the NNPCL drew applause from Nigerians, especially groups like ours, which had been at the forefront of demanding accountability and transparency in the running of institutions."

The protesters raised alarms over the ongoing issues surrounding the rehabilitation and restreaming of the government-owned refineries. They pointed to alarming allegations of billions of dollars spent without clear accountability. Pertinently, they highlighted a significant concern: the NNPCL is reportedly indebted to Matrix Energy for over $2 billion, with this debt purportedly being serviced through daily crude oil allocations.

In a passionate address, Matazu noted, "In addition to the billions of dollars that the Kyari-led administration claimed to have spent on fixing the refineries, it also claimed that an oil company, Matrix Energy Limited, invested $400 million in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, even as the Federal Executive Council had approved $1.5 billion for the repairs of the same facility."

As the protest continued, the group posed critical questions that demand immediate answers: "Why is the Federal Government through the NNPCL owing Matrix Oil $2 billion? Why is the debt being paid with daily supply of crude oil? Who were the parties to the negotiations of this deal? Why are Nigerians being kept in the dark?"

The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption called upon the AGF to delve into the questionable agreements made under Kyari's administration, urging a comprehensive judicial review of all arrangements that compromised the integrity of public resources. They emphasized that a thorough investigation should reveal how much the Federal Government has lost and provide recommendations for recovering identified funds.

Matazu concluded the rally by calling for a formal commission of inquiry into NNPCL's handling of the refinery repairs during Kyari's era, declaring, "We demand for an immediate judicial review. Nigerians deserve to know the truth about the alleged corrupt practices under Kyari’s leadership."

As the sun set on the protest, the group vowed to persist in their fight for accountability and transparency within Nigeria's institutions, reflecting a broader demand from citizens determined to hold their leaders accountable for the management of public resources.