CNPP, Over 75 Allied CSOs Demand Arrest of Mele Kyari, Forensic Audit of NNPCL Over N210 Trillion Scandal, Refineries Fraud, and Oil Theft Among Others
This post has already been read at least 119 times!
In an explosive World Press Conference held in Abuja on Sunday, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and a coalition of over 75 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the banner of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have jointly demanded the immediate arrest of the sacked Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari, and members of his management team.
The coalition also called for an urgent independent forensic audit and a public judicial inquiry into the operations of NNPCL during Kyari’s tenure, citing what they described as “historic levels of corruption, reckless mismanagement, and brazen abuse of public trust” in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Reading the joint statement on behalf of the CNPP and CSOs, Dr. Agaba Iduh Fidel, National Publicity Secretary of the CNCSOs, said:
“We stand before the world today to declare a national emergency on the industrial-scale corruption, abuse, and financial recklessness that have become the trademark of the oil sector under Mele Kolo Kyari, both as former GMD of the defunct NNPC and as GCEO of NNPCL.”
Contents
Red Flags Raised by CNPP and CSOs Over the Years
Dr. Agaba recalled that the CNPP and CSOs had for years raised numerous red flags about the financial malfeasance at NNPCL, which were largely ignored by successive governments and anti-graft agencies.
He detailed specific cases, starting with the “scandalous recruitment of 487 new staff at the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC)” in 2021—despite the refinery being non-operational.
“We flagged how N19.2 billion was spent on administrative expenses and N22.5 billion on salaries for a refinery that generated zero income. This fraudulent payroll expansion was nothing but a conduit for siphoning public funds,” Agaba stated.
The coalition also referenced their Freedom of Information (FOI) requests between April and May 2025 seeking transparency on the $4 billion reportedly spent on the so-called rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri refineries.
“Instead of accountability, what Nigerians got was stonewalling from Mele Kyari’s infamous leadership of NNPCL and silence from the Buhari government at the time,” Dr. Agaba lamented.
Fuel Subsidy Fraud, Adulterated Fuel, and Deliberate Sabotage
The CSOs further recalled the August 2024 adulterated fuel scandal and the controversial fuel subsidy regime, noting that both worsened inflation and damaged millions of vehicles across the country.
“We are convinced that powerful cabals within NNPCL leadership, under Kyari, deliberately sabotaged Nigeria’s refining capacity to enrich fuel importation cartels at the expense of national economic sovereignty,” Dr. Agaba charged. 
N210 Trillion Unreconciled Transactions: The Latest Scandal
The most recent and damning revelation, according to the coalition, is the discovery of ₦210 trillion in unreconciled transactions in the NNPCL audited financial statements (2017–2023).
“Calling ₦210 trillion a mere ‘Joint Venture cash call’ discrepancy is an insult to the collective intelligence and suffering of over 200 million Nigerians,” Dr. Agaba said.
The group condemned NNPCL’s current management for failing to honor the Senate Committee on Public Accounts invitation, choosing instead to attend a management retreat.
“If the Senate is serious, they must summon not only the current NNPCL management but also Mele Kyari and his sacked team who presided over this monumental mess,” the statement insisted.
Other Allegations: NEITI Reports, Auditor-General Findings, EFCC Arrests
The CNPP and CSOs listed several other pending corruption allegations, including: $6.9 billion unremitted to the Federation Account (NEITI Report 2023), $7.1 billion in questionable crude oil swap deals, ₦2.68 trillion and $9.77 million missing (Auditor-General’s report), and the Ongoing EFCC arrests of former NNPCL executives linked to a $7.2 billion refinery scam.
“All these atrocities happened under Kyari’s watch or were a direct result of his management culture,” Dr. Agaba emphasized.
The Unresolved 48 Million Barrels of Crude Oil Theft
The coalition also revisited the unresolved theft and sale of 48 million barrels of Bonny Light crude oil to foreign buyers in China in 2015, when Kyari headed NNPC’s Crude Oil Marketing division.
“Nigerians still await answers: Who authorized the sale? Where did the proceeds go? Why was there no recovery or prosecution?” the coalition asked.
The Coalition’s Unified Demands
In what they described as “a final ultimatum to the Federal Government”, the CNPP and CSOs tabled seven urgent demands:
- An Independent Forensic Audit of NNPCL (2015–2024)
To be conducted by an internationally reputable audit firm. - A Public Judicial Panel of Inquiry
To be chaired by a retired Supreme Court Justice with televised proceedings. - Immediate Release of Joint Venture (JV) Cash Call Documentation
Full disclosure of beneficiaries, project milestones, and disbursement schedules. - Comprehensive Investigation of the 48 Million Barrels Oil Theft
With clear prosecution and asset recovery. - Full-scale Anti-Corruption Probe into Refinery Contracts and Fuel Subsidy Payments
- Immediate Arrest of Mele Kyari and His Sacked Management Team
For interrogation and prosecution. - Diligent Prosecution of All Individuals and Entities Found Complicit
In corruption, mismanagement, and economic sabotage.
21-Day Ultimatum and Next Steps
The coalition gave the Tinubu administration a 21-day ultimatum to act on their demands or face nationwide mass protests, legal action against the Federal Government and NNPCL, petitions to international anti-corruption agencies and global media campaigns to further expose the rot in Nigeria’s oil sector.
“We are not fighting personalities but a system of impunity that has destroyed our economy,” Dr. Agaba clarified.
A Direct Message to President Tinubu
In a special message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the coalition praised his bold move in sacking Mele Kyari but stressed that “mere sacking is not enough.”
“Mr. President, your anti-corruption credentials are now on trial. Nigerians expect you to order a full audit, launch a public judicial probe, and ensure the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for this mess,” Dr. Agaba said.
“The time to act is now. The world is watching. Nigerians are watching. And history will be the judge,” he concluded.
This post has already been read at least 119 times!
