A group of lawyers under the banner of the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law staged a massive protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Monday, demanding a judicial inquiry into the tenure of Mele Kolo Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The protesters, led by Barrister Benjamin Theophilus, submitted a petition alleging widespread corruption, tax evasion, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds during Kyari’s leadership.

The petition highlighted several contentious issues, including inflated costs of refinery rehabilitation contracts, fraudulent crude oil allocations, mismanagement of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project, fuel subsidy fraud, and questionable crude-backed loans.

According to the petition, NNPCL under Kyari spent over $4 billion on rehabilitating the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, far exceeding an initial private-sector proposal of $1 billion for all three facilities.

“Kyari is alleged to have collaborated with consultants and contractors to conceal the actual cost of contracts and evade taxes,” the petition stated, noting that the refineries remain inefficient despite the expenditure.

The lawyers also accused Kyari of overseeing the diversion of crude oil allocations under the pretext of “pipeline security” at a rate of 80,000 barrels per day, with no transparent accountability mechanisms.

The $5 billion AKK Gas Pipeline Project was similarly flagged for irregularities in contract awards and execution, with little progress despite significant funding.

Further allegations include fuel subsidy fraud, with NNPCL reportedly increasing petroleum imports in 2020 during a global decline in fuel consumption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition also criticised crude-backed loans totalling $21.565 billion since 2019, which it claimed disadvantaged Nigeria by ceding trading profits to international traders.

The protesters called for a judicial commission to investigate Kyari’s tenure, probe payments to refinery contractors, and examine past audit failures.

They also urged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to investigate suspected tax evasion and fraudulent declarations, while advocating for the recovery of any misappropriated public funds.

The Federal Ministry of Finance has yet to respond to the petition, and NNPCL officials were unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.

The blue economy presents a huge opportunity for Nigeria’s economic transformation, especially in the area of marine tourism, Minister of Art Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has said.

Musawa noted that sustainable tourism development within our coastal areas can drive investment, create jobs, and showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for eco-tourism in Africa and beyond.

She made the disclosure while delivering her keynote address at the seminar on the Development of National Blue Economy and Coastal Biodiversity in Tourism.

The gathering brought together stakeholders, experts, and policymakers to deliberate on how best to harness the potential of our coastal and marine resources while ensuring their sustainability for future generations.

The minister who was represented by Mr Sunday Mkpejie Bisong, Assistant Director Overseeing Domestic Tourism Promotion Department, explained that Nigeria, as a nation, is blessed with an extensive coastline, rich marine biodiversity, and vibrant coastal communities.

She said: “Nigeria, as a nation blessed with an extensive coastline, rich marine biodiversity, and vibrant coastal communities, stands to benefit significantly from a well-structured blue economy.

“As we seek to diversify our economy beyond oil and gas, the blue economy presents enormous opportunities for economic transformation, particularly in sectors such as marine tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transportation, and renewable energy. Sustainable tourism development within our coastal areas can drive investment, create jobs, and showcase our rich cultural heritage, positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for eco-tourism in Africa and beyond.

“Our coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and beaches, serve as vital habitats for marine species and are essential for the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. Preserving this biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity; it is also an economic imperative. A thriving marine environment enhances the tourism experience, attracting both local and international visitors who seek pristine beaches, water-based recreational activities, and cultural interactions with indigenous coastal communities.”

While lamenting the impact of degradation of the ecosystem on the blue economy, the Minister stressed that the country stands to benefit significantly from a well-structured blue economy.

Musawa explained that the sure way forward is for adoption of a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable tourism development, integrating policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.

She said: “The degradation of these ecosystems due to pollution, climate change, and unsustainable fishing practices poses a serious threat to their economic and ecological value.

“It is therefore imperative that we adopt a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable tourism development, integrating policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.”

The Minister also gave the assurance that the ministry in collaboration with other relevant ministries and agencies, “is committed to harnessing the full potential of the blue economy while safeguarding our coastal biodiversity. “

She also noted that now is the time to act, saying “Distinguished guests, the blue economy and coastal biodiversity are not just policy concepts but lifelines for sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and tourism development.

“The time to act is now. We must work collectively—government, private sector, academia, and civil society—to unlock the potential of our marine resources in a way that benefits our economy while protecting the environment for future generations.

“Let this seminar serve as a platform for meaningful discussions, innovative solutions, and collaborative partnerships that will drive Nigeria’s blue economy forward. I encourage all stakeholders to take actionable steps towards implementing sustainable tourism practices that respect and preserve our coastal biodiversity.”

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Akudo-Nwosu said the seminar represented a collective effort towards unlocking the country’s coastal and marine resources.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Mr. Tony Ukpoju, Assistant Director, said “Today’s gathering marks a significant step in our collective efforts to unlock the immense potentials of Nigeria’s coastal and marine resources, while ensuring the sustainability of our rich biodiversity. The Blue Economy represents a frontier of economic opportunity—encompassing tourism, fisheries, marine transport, and renewable energy—offering avenues for inclusive growth, job creation, and environmental conservation.

“As a nation endowed with an extensive coastline and vibrant coastal communities, it is imperative that we strategically position tourism as a key driver in the Blue Economy framework. Our coastal biodiversity is not only a natural treasure but also a catalyst for cultural expression, eco-tourism, and heritage preservation.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has intercepted 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, worth N1,042,500,000 only in street value in a Lagos hotel.

It said the illicit drug, with a total weight of 417.3 kilograms, was seized during an operation in the 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, which it said was used as cover for distributing illicit substances.

It disclosed that no fewer than three were arrested in the course of the operation at the five-storey hotel building between Friday April 25 and Saturday April 26, 2025, while two other suspects were currently at large.

The NDLEA, in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that the items suspected to be proceeds of illicit drug trade recovered from the hotel included a Toyota Prado Landcruiser SUV, Toyota Sienna, Volkswagen Delivery Van, Kia Ceranto, Grand Caravan Dodge, 74 new TV sets, 10 used TV sets, and 13 refrigerators, among others.

It further disclosed that the agency intercepted over two million pills of tramadol in Kano and Jigawa states.

The NDLEA explained that its operatives, acting on intelligence, on April 23 seized consignments of opioids being moved from Kano to the Niger Republic and Yobe State, through Jigawa.

It noted that the psychoactive substances were being moved in a Toyota Sienna vehicle at about 2:30 am along Kano- Ringim Road, Gumel town, when anti-narcotic officers on patrol intercepted them and arrested two suspects.

Recovered from the Sienna vehicle were 200,000 pills of 250mg of tramadol and 217,500 capsules of pregabalin.

“A swift follow up operation in Kano led to the arrest of the supplier at his residence located at Mil Tara, Layin Technical area of Kano, while additional 1,584,000 pills of 250mg of tramadol stacked inside a Nissan 18-seater bus and a room in his house were discovered and evacuated.

“This brings the total number of the recovered opioids to 2,001,500 pills,” the statement read in part.

According to the statement, another shipment of 46 wraps of cocaine weighing 547 grams hidden in body cream bound for the Middle East country, was intercepted at a courier firm in Lagos on April 23.

It said the seizure came barely a week after NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) uncovered 20 parcels of cocaine concealed inside religious books bound for Saudi Arabia at a logistics company in Lagos.

It also said another consignment intercepted the same day included 1.8kg pentazocine injection and 60 grams bromazepam tablets heading for Canada.

Babafemi, in the statement, further disclosed that three Ghanaian ladies were on arrested on April 20 at the Gbaji checkpoint, at the Seme border area of Badagry, Lagos, by NDLEA operatives while attempting to smuggle 4.8kilograms of Ghana Loud, a strong strain of cannabis into Nigeria.

“While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Jigawa, Edo and Seme commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts,” he added.