Some group of Nigerians on Monday protested at the Nigerian High Commission in the UK and the Home Office, demanding the return of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, to Nigeria.
The demonstrators, under the auspices of Rescue Nigeria Now, assembled outside the Nigerian high commission and the UK Home Office in the UK, where they submitted formal petitions to both entities.
Protesters carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Withdraw Mele Kyari’s residency now!”, “Mele Kyari go home and face EFCC now!”, and “London is not for public officials who abused public trust”.
The group accused Kyari of fleeing Nigeria to avoid accountability for alleged financial misconduct during his tenure at the NNPC from 2019 to 2025.
In a letter addressed to Sarafa Tunji Isola, the Nigerian high commissioner to the UK, the group described his presence in the UK without facing the consequences of his actions as “an affront to Nigerians” and “an insult to the esteemed anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
“Your Excellency, this letter is not merely a petition—it is a demand— A moral, civic, and nationalistic demand. We, therefore, demand in the strongest terms that the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom refrains from according him any form of official reception, recognition, or diplomatic courtesy until he returns to Nigeria to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant investigative bodies for the myriad allegations that trail his tenure,” they said.
“The coalition called upon the UK authorities to act in accordance with international anti-corruption agreements.
“The United Kingdom and Nigeria have established reciprocal treaties and agreements to curtail their citizens from willfully engaging in corruption and other criminal activities. This relationship is intended to ensure that justice is served and that fugitive criminals do not find safe havens in foreign countries.”
Considering the allegation of “corruption and the severe impact on Nigeria,” they requested that the “Home Office expel Mr. Mele Kyari so that he can return to Nigeria”.
The group said it is important that Kyari faces justice “for his actions and that the stolen funds are recovered to aid in the nation’s recovery and development”.
On April 26, the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe NNPC under the tenure of Kyari.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that the embattled NNPC boss earlier debunked claims he was in custody of the anti-graft agency.
Kyari said his conscience is clear and that he is proud of his service to Nigeria and to God over the past three decades.
The former NNPC boss noted that he is ready to respond to all lawful queries concerning his tenure.
“It should be stated that having served the NNPC and the NNPCL for 34 years, and 17 of those in management roles and especially the last 5 years and 9 months, I had little time for leave of even two weeks. So, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve under their Excellencies Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
“I must emphasize that I served with the fear of God knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man. Therefore, having served in public capacity, I am willing and happy to account for my stewardship in this world.”
Kyari said he is currently taking a much-needed break after the recent dissolution of the board and management of NNPCL.
“At present, I am taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL, of which I was the Group Chief Executive,” he added.
“I sincerely thank my family and friends who have reached out to me or tried to do so and assure them that I am available to respond to all lawful queries.”
Recall that President Tinubu on April 2, removed Kyari citing the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC”.
As part of the overhaul, the president appointed Bayo Ojulari to replace Kyari as the new group CEO, and Ahmadu Musa Kida as NNPC’s new non-executive chairman, replacing Pius Akinyelure.