The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have accused Nigeria’s security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of protecting former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari, amid a growing multi-billion dollar corruption scandal.
In a joint statement issued Monday and signed by CNPP Deputy National Publicity Secretary James Ezema and CNCSOs National Secretary Alhaji Ali Abacha, the groups expressed dismay over Kyari’s reported travel abroad despite his alleged involvement in the scandal currently under EFCC investigation.
“This is a clear case of selective justice. While lower-ranking officials are being arrested, the main actor is allowed to walk free. Nigerians will not be deceived,” the statement said.
The EFCC has recently arrested several former NNPCL executives, including the sacked managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. The arrests are linked to the alleged mismanagement of nearly $3 billion earmarked for refinery rehabilitation: $1.56 billion for Port Harcourt, $740 million for Kaduna, and $656 million for Warri.
Among those in custody are Ibrahim Onoja of the Port Harcourt Refining Company and Efifia Chu of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company. Media reports further disclosed the discovery of N80 billion in a personal account belonging to one of the former executives.
The corruption probe has since widened to include Kyari and 13 other former top officials of the NNPCL, according to an internal EFCC document dated April 28, 2025. Allegations center on abuse of office and large-scale financial misappropriation. Others reportedly under investigation include Abubakar Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, and additional senior figures.
As part of its investigation, the EFCC has requested certified payroll and emolument records from the current NNPCL management.
The civil society groups denounced the refinery rehabilitation as a “monumental scam,” noting that despite the massive expenditures, facilities like the Port Harcourt Refinery have failed to deliver any fuel output. Independent reports indicate no product lifting activities are taking place at the plant.
“The Nigerian government and the public were misled into celebrating a non-existent achievement,” the groups stated.
Reacting to Kyari’s recent public comment where he claimed to be willing to account for his stewardship, the groups challenged his sincerity.
“If he truly fears God as he claims, he should return immediately and face the EFCC,” the statement read. They also criticized law enforcement agencies for failing to restrict Kyari’s movement or place him on a watchlist, despite the severity of the allegations.
The groups further alleged Kyari may be implicated in the diversion of funds from the sale of stolen crude oil reportedly trafficked to China under dubious circumstances.
Calling for comprehensive accountability, the CNPP and CNCSOs urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that no former NNPCL executive is spared from investigation and prosecution.
“The fight against corruption must be absolute and impartial. Nigerians deserve the truth, and the world is watching,” the statement concluded.
The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to working with anti-corruption agencies and vowed to continue tracking the case until all responsible parties are brought to justice.