EFCC Urged to Trace Alleged Proceeds of N7.2bn Refinery Fraud Linked to Ex-NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari
- The Coalition for Accountability in Public Resources (CAPR) has lashed out at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged refinery fraud
- The civil rights groups called on EFCC to recover the complete $7.2 billion allegedly mismanaged by former NNPCL boss, Mele Kyari
- The CAPR National President, Comrade Ebiowei Ogoniba, said the EFCC owes Nigerians the full recovery of the billions looted under Kyari’s supervision
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been urged to recover every kobo of the $7.2 billion allegedly mismanaged by Mele Kyari, the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)
Kyari is under investigation for alleged financial impropriety linked to failed refinery rehabilitation projects.
Source: Twitter
The Coalition for Accountability in Public Resources (CAPR) accused the EFCC of playing to the gallery by freezing Kyari’s bank accounts while allowing his relatives and children to continue investing and laundering illicit proceeds in Nigeria and abroad.
The CAPR National President, Comrade Ebiowei Ogoniba, said the scale of the alleged fraud under Kyari’s watch has left the country in economic peril.
Ogoniba stated this in a statement issued on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Abuja and made available to Legit.ng.
“Freezing accounts is not justice. Nigerians are not interested in token gestures. What the EFCC owes this nation is full recovery of the billions looted under Kyari’s supervision. That includes tracing the investments of his children, relatives, and cronies who are busy laundering the proceeds in real estate, foreign schools, luxury assets, and business ventures across the world.”
Comrade Ogoniba also accused the anti-graft agency of selective justice in the manner Kyari's case has been handled.
According to Ogoniba, the EFCC parades ordinary civil servants for minor infractions, while politically connected individuals, such as Kyari, are shielded from the full weight of accountability.
“Nigerians are tired of the theatrics. Every time, the EFCC tells us that a suspect has been ‘invited’, questioned, or placed on a watchlist. But how many of them end up facing trial? How many recoveries are traced to their families? Unless the EFCC goes after the network of relatives and associates hiding this stolen wealth, their credibility will continue to sink.”
The coalition warned EFCC that failure to act decisively would trigger mass action and protest.
“Let it be known that Nigerians are watching. The days of empty drama are over. Civil society will not hesitate to mobilise thousands of citizens to the streets in protest if the EFCC fails to do its duty. History will remember whether the Commission chose justice or complicity.”
Protesters demand arrest, prosecution of Ex-NNPCL Boss Kyari
Recall that a group, under the aegis of Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), stormed the EFCC headquarters in Abuja
The protesters called for the arrest and prosecution of former NNPCL boss, Mele Kyari, over an alleged $4b refinery scandal.
The group urged the anti-graft agency to ensure justice is served and be uncompromising in Kyari's case.
Source: Legit.ng
