Kyari did no wrong – Protesters withdraw corruption allegations against ex-NNPCL boss
A coalition of civil society organisations that previously called for the investigation of former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has officially withdrawn its corruption allegations.
The group, Concerned Citizens Against Corruption (CCAC), had last week staged a protest at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urging the prosecution of Kyari.
The coalition had expressed concern that despite President Bola Tinubu’s dismissal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, no investigations had commenced into alleged corrupt activities under Kyari’s leadership.
However, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the convener of CCAC, Comrade Kabir Matazu, admitted that the April 23 protest at the Federal Ministry of Justice was misguided and based on insufficient information.
He explained that the group’s earlier stance stemmed from a lack of understanding regarding the operational structure and responsibilities of the NNPCL as a limited liability company.
Matazu stated that the coalition had been misinformed by individuals with questionable motives, which influenced their actions.
According to him, following consultations and a comprehensive review of facts, “we are convinced that Kyari acted within the scope of his responsibilities and in accordance with due process.
“As responsible corporate citizens, we and all our Civil Society partners who organized a protest on 23rd April 2025 against Mallam Mele Kyari have taken the hard decision of admitting that our earlier decision to launch a nationwide protest and demand the probe of the Ex-NNPLC boss was driven by our limited understanding of the strategic intents and works of the NNPC as a limited liability company under the leadership of Mele Kyari.
“Our action was therefore hasty, premature, and lacking in facts.
“Despite our constructive and patriotic intentions which were aimed at fostering accountability and transparency in governance, we were misled by those we trusted to provide us with the basic facts.
“We admit in humility that it is statutory for NNPCL, whether under Kyari or the new management, to enter into business agreements.
“There is nothing illegal about what the company did under Mallam Mele Kyari, as we were erroneously made to believe.
“NNPLC is sanctioned at the highest authorities to enter into such deals, and if there are issues, it will be handled appropriately in close coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum.”
The group also commended Kyari’s leadership, highlighting his contributions to the transformation of NNPCL, including the unbundling of the corporation, return to profitability, and initiatives to revive Nigeria’s dormant refineries.
