Abuja, Nigeria – In a dramatic escalation of public discontent, scores of protesters converged on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Abuja today, vociferously demanding the immediate deportation of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The demonstration, organized under the banner of the Young Professionals Forum (YPF), represents a significant push for accountability amidst an ongoing probe into alleged corruption and sabotage within Nigeria’s vital energy sector during Kyari’s tenure.
The protesters, carrying placards and chanting slogans for justice, highlighted their belief that Kyari’s presence in the UAE undermines the rule of law and allows him to evade facing the serious allegations leveled against him in Nigeria. Speaking on behalf of the YPF, Barrister Sambari Benjamin articulated the group’s profound concern, stating that Kyari’s alleged corrupt practices have had “far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economy and energy sector.”
Benjamin specifically accused Kyari’s leadership at the NNPCL of being characterized by a “deliberate obstruction of local refining initiatives, blatant disregard for national interests, and personal enrichment.” These actions, he asserted, have crippled national productivity, drained Nigeria’s precious foreign exchange reserves, and tragically increased the vulnerability of Nigerian consumers to adulterated petroleum products, leading to widespread hardship and economic instability.
The Young Professionals Forum is vehemently appealing to the UAE government to reject any notion of granting Kyari residency or asylum. They argue that providing refuge to an individual facing such grave allegations of corruption would not only impede the ongoing investigation but also set a dangerous precedent, signaling to other public officials that they can escape accountability by fleeing abroad.
“We believe that Mele Kyari’s actions have brought shame to our nation and our people,” Benjamin declared to the assembled media and onlookers. “His alleged corrupt practices have had devastating consequences for our economy and our people. We cannot stand idly by while those in positions of authority abuse their power for personal gain.”
This protest comes amid intensified investigations by Nigerian authorities, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), into alleged misconduct by top NNPCL officials. Reports indicate that at least 14 officials, including former chief executives, are under scrutiny for alleged misappropriation of funds and abuse of office, particularly concerning billions of dollars allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s critical refineries. The EFCC has reportedly requested certified true copies of emoluments and allowances of affected individuals, with one former managing director allegedly found with a substantial sum of N80 billion in personal accounts, leading to further arrests and forensic examination.
The YPF, along with other concerned citizens and civil society groups, has been at the forefront of demanding transparency and accountability in the management of national institutions. They emphasize that the Nigerian people demand justice and will not relent until those responsible for alleged malfeasance are held accountable. The demonstrators urged the UAE government to uphold its commitment to international cooperation in the fight against corruption and to deny Kyari any form of refuge, thereby preventing his perceived escape from justice.
The outcome of this diplomatic plea remains to be seen, but the protesters’ unwavering determination highlights the deep-seated desire for a more transparent and equitable governance in Nigeria’s crucial oil sector.