A group of lawyers and concerned Nigerian youths have returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja to demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
The group, led by Barr Ojonugwa Benjamine Theophilus, submitted a petition to the EFCC on April 25, 2025, alleging that Kyari misappropriated billions of dollars during his tenure as NNPC boss.
However, 46 days after submitting the petition, the group claims that no concrete action has been taken by the EFCC.
“We are here today as a group of lawyers and concerned Nigerian youths to follow up on our earlier petition, with the above title, submitted and received by the commission on the 25th of April, 2025,” Theophilus said.
“It is now 46days since we submitted our petition which contained details of the billions of dollars that were allegedly misappropriated by Mele Kolo Kyari during his time as Group CEO of NNCL, and yet no concrete action or steps seems to have been taken by this commission to assuage the grievances of majority of Nigerians who demand accountability from public office holders.
“We are also chagrined that despite our well written petition, detailing allegations of misappropriation of funds, tax evasion, economic sabotage and abuse of office by the former NNPCL group CEO, the EFCC is yet to officially invite Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari for questioning.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and we all have a stake in the growth and development of this country. While we appreciate the role the EFCC is playing and has continued to play in ridding this country of the fangs of corruption, we wish to demand the immediate arrest and diligent prosecution of Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, to answer to the monumental economic and financial crimes he is alleged to have committed against the Nigerian state. “
The group therefore called on the EFCC to act swiftly to restore public trust and demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption.
