The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has assured Nigerians that there will be an investigation into the former Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, following calls for his probe.
Winifred Adekunle, a deputy director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, made this promise on behalf of the AGF during a meeting with a group of lawyers who had gathered at the ministry’s office on Wednesday to submit a petition. The petition, signed by various lawyers, called for the immediate investigation and arrest of Kyari, citing serious allegations of corruption linked to his tenure at NNPCL.
This marks the second consecutive day of protests demanding action against Kyari. On Tuesday, protesters under the banner “Concerned Citizens Against Corruption” gathered at the AGF’s office, urging the government to investigate Kyari and the NNPCL’s financial dealings over the past several years.
During her address, Adekunle reassured the petitioners, stating, “Your petition will receive immediate attention. There will be a response, and whatever questions you have asked will be addressed appropriately. Be assured that the Attorney General and the Solicitor General are people you can rely on. Whatever you have requested will be addressed.”
On Wednesday, a separate group of lawyers known as the “Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law” also marched to the AGF’s office, submitting another petition calling for Kyari’s investigation. The petition, dated April 23, 2025, was co-signed by Emmanuel Agada, the group’s convener, and Jonathan Uchendu, the National Secretary. It highlighted several allegations of corruption during Kyari’s leadership at NNPCL, particularly in relation to opaque management practices.
The lawyers expressed concern over what they described as a lack of transparency in the dealings under Kyari’s watch. They pointed out the limited actions taken by President Bola Tinubu, who removed Kyari from his position but did not initiate a thorough investigation into the alleged corruption.
The petition also focused on the rehabilitation of government-owned refineries, with discrepancies noted between the funds reportedly invested and the actual outcomes.
For instance, the lawyers pointed out that while Matrix Energy Limited was said to have invested $400 million in the Port Harcourt Refinery, a project that was approved by the Federal Executive Council for $1.5 billion, the figures did not add up.
Additionally, they raised concerns over a $2 billion debt owed to Matrix Energy, which, according to reports, is being serviced through daily crude oil allocations of 80,000 barrels.
The petitioners questioned why such transactions were allowed to occur and why the Nigerian public was kept in the dark about these dealings. They demanded full transparency and called for a review of all agreements made under Kyari’s administration, urging the AGF to investigate these financial discrepancies.
In their appeal, the lawyers asked the AGF to establish a commission of inquiry to examine NNPCL’s handling of refinery repairs under Kyari’s leadership. They also requested a fact-finding investigation into financial losses linked to these operations, aiming to recover any misappropriated funds and hold responsible individuals accountable.
“The establishment of such a commission is necessary to ensure accountability and prevent future misconduct,” the petitioners noted. “We are committed to supporting the AGF in ensuring that this investigation is conducted thoroughly and transparently.”
