The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have strongly criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian security agencies for allegedly allowing the former group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari, to leave the country despite being implicated in a deepening multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal.
In a joint statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, deputy national publicity secretary of CNPP, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, national secretary of CNCSOs, the groups expressed vindication over their long-standing calls for a probe into NNPCL’s operations under Kyari, which they say are now being justified by the arrest of several top officials linked to refinery rehabilitation fraud.
“We have consistently raised alarms over the brazen corruption and mismanagement at NNPCL. Today, while the EFCC is busy arresting the small masquerades, the chief masquerade is still dancing freely in the market square without qualms. This is unacceptable, and Nigerians will not be fooled,” the statement read.
The groups decried the arrest of sacked managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries over alleged mismanagement of almost $3 billion meant for the facilities’ rehabilitation, including $1.56 billion for Port Harcourt, $740 million for Kaduna, and $656 million for Warri.
They further cited credible media reports revealing that ₦80 billion was discovered in the personal accounts of one of the arrested refinery executives, questioning how much more could be hidden in the financial records of other former top management members under Kyari.
The detained officials include Ibrahim Onoja, former managing director of Port Harcourt Refining Company, and Efifia Chu, former managing director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, alongside other unnamed senior executives.
The CNPP and CNCSOs alleged that a leaked confidential EFCC document dated April 28, 2025, shows that the ongoing probe now includes Kyari and 13 other top former NNPCL officials. Those under investigation include Abubakar Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ademoye Jelili, Mustapha Sugungun, Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama.
According to the statement, the EFCC has requested official records of salaries and allowances from NNPCL’s current management as part of its investigation.
The groups described the Port Harcourt Refinery’s rehabilitation project as a “monumental scam,” saying over $897 million was expended without the facility producing a single litre of fuel.
“The Nigerian government and public were deceived into celebrating emptiness. Independent reports confirm that no fuel trucks are lifting products from the refinery. This only validates our earlier warnings,” they added.
Reacting to Mele Kyari’s recent public declaration that he is ready to account for his stewardship before man and God, the groups demanded his immediate return to Nigeria to face investigators.
“If Engr. Kyari truly fears God and is ready to account, then he must return immediately to face the EFCC probe. Hiding abroad contradicts his public declaration,” they stated.
They also accused Nigerian security agencies of betraying public trust by failing to place Kyari on a watchlist or restrict his movement, despite the gravity of the allegations, including reports of proceeds from allegedly stolen crude oil sales in China.
“We demand answers from the security agencies that allowed Kyari’s exit. This negligence or complicity must not go unpunished,” the groups asserted.
The CNPP and CNCSOs pledged continued action and vigilance, promising to monitor developments, expose wrongdoing, and assist anti-corruption agencies until every individual involved in the alleged looting of the oil sector is held accountable.
They concluded with a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
“The fight against corruption must be total, impartial, and unrelenting. Nigerians demand justice. The world is watching.”