A group of legal practitioners under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Lawyers for Justice (CCLJ) staged a peaceful protest at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in Abuja on Friday, demanding a comprehensive probe into the tenure of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.

The protest, which lasted several hours, saw the lawyers brandishing placards and chanting slogans calling for accountability, transparency, and the immediate commencement of investigations into what they described as “years of financial opacity and mismanagement” under Kyari’s leadership.

Dressed in their full legal regalia, the lawyers marched from the Federal Ministry of Justice headquarters to the gate of the AGF’s office, where they submitted a petition demanding action from the federal government on multiple allegations that have trailed the former oil executive since his exit from office.

Calls for Accountability in the Oil Sector

Speaking on behalf of the group, Barr. Chinedu Okorie, a prominent Abuja-based human rights lawyer, said the protest was driven by a patriotic duty to ensure that no public officer is above the law. He stressed that the oil sector, which is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, must not be allowed to remain shrouded in secrecy.

“We are here as officers of the law and as citizens who believe in the rule of law. Mele Kyari held one of the most powerful and sensitive offices in Nigeria. There are unanswered questions surrounding the fuel subsidy regime, crude oil swap deals, and pipeline surveillance contracts during his tenure,” Okorie said.

He added that it was important for the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to act swiftly in line with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s promise to fight corruption without fear or favor.

Protest Highlights Alleged Irregularities

The group’s petition detailed several areas they believe warrant a forensic probe, including:

• Alleged mismanagement of subsidy payments and lack of transparency in subsidy records.

• Controversial multi-billion-naira pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to non-state actors.

• Unaccounted crude oil export proceeds and discrepancies in remittances to the Federation Account.

• Alleged manipulation of fuel importation records during periods of scarcity.

According to the lawyers, these alleged irregularities contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic strain, foreign exchange instability, and rising national debt.

“We are not here to witch-hunt anyone. We are only asking for the truth. Let the facts come out and if Kyari has nothing to hide, then a proper investigation should exonerate him,” said Barr. Amina Sulaiman, another member of the coalition.

Silence from AGF’s Office

Despite the lawyers’ attempt to secure a meeting with representatives from the AGF’s office, no official response was issued as of press time. Security officers received the protest letter on behalf of the AGF.

When contacted, a senior aide to the AGF, who requested anonymity, said the matter would be reviewed, and all petitions would be handled according to the law.

“The Ministry takes all petitions seriously, especially when they concern national institutions. I believe the Honourable Attorney General will give due attention to the issues raised,” the source said.

Civil Society Groups Join the Call

In a related development, several civil society organizations have thrown their weight behind the lawyers’ protest, urging the federal government to prioritize transparency in the oil and gas sector.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in a statement issued Friday, called on the EFCC and ICPC to take immediate interest in the issues raised, describing them as critical to Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

“Without accountability in the oil sector, every other effort at economic reform will be undermined,” the statement read.

Background: Kyari’s Controversial Exit

Mele Kyari was removed as GCEO of NNPCL earlier this year as part of a sweeping reform process by the Tinubu administration, aimed at repositioning the oil and gas sector. His tenure was marked by mixed reactions—praised in some quarters for pushing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), while also facing criticism for lack of financial transparency.

Following his exit, several investigative journalists and watchdog organizations published reports alleging major discrepancies in the company’s financials and operations.

Kyari has yet to issue a public statement in response to the latest protests, though he has in the past denied wrongdoing, insisting that his actions at NNPCL were guided by transparency and national interest.

Final Notes

The Coalition of Concerned Lawyers vowed to sustain the pressure until a formal investigation is launched. They announced plans to petition the National Assembly and mobilize more legal professionals nationwide to demand justice.

“We are setting an example that no matter how highly placed you are, accountability must follow public service,” Barr. Okorie concluded.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges and rising public debt, the call for transparency in the nation’s most lucrative sector grows louder, with citizens and professionals alike demanding answers—and action.