Alleged $4 Billion Refinery Fraud: Protesters Storm ICPC Headquarters, Call for Probe
- Protesters under the Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN) storm ICPC headquarters in Abuja, demanding a probe into an alleged $4bn refinery fraud
- The group accuses MSM Group, linked to ex-NNPC chief Mele Kyari, of laundering missing funds for refinery rehabilitation while striking questionable billion-dollar deals
- CLCN urges ICPC to uncover MSM Group’s financial ties, recover diverted funds, and hold all implicated individuals accountable, stressing Nigerians deserve justice
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FCT, Abuja - Hundreds of protesters under the banner of the Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN) on Thursday, September 25, stormed the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja.
They demanded an immediate investigation into what they described as a $4 billion fraud linked to the MSM Group and missing funds earmarked for Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation.
Source: Original
MSM Group accused of laundering stolen funds
Speaking in a statement cited by Legit.ng, Sambari G. Benjamin, Esq., alleged that the MSM Group, a conglomerate with ties to Engineer Mele Kolo Kyari, former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), was being used as a front for laundering stolen public money.
Benjamin told protesters and journalists:
“We are here because something is deeply wrong. MSM Group is not just a business; it is a vessel of money laundering, a shell of secrecy, and a front for repurposing stolen public funds.”
Group speaks on missing billions and idle refineries
The protesters cited the unexplained disappearance of $2.896 billion that was allocated for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. Despite the huge investment, the refineries remain non-functional.
Benjamin pointed out that MSM Group recently struck a $2.4 billion deal with the Kebbi State Government to build a cement plant, raising questions about the source of its funds.
Concerns over conflict of interest
The group expressed alarm that a former bank account officer of Kyari is now a director at MSM Group, while the conglomerate has consistently refused to disclose its investors and funding sources.
“How did MSM Group secure $2.4 billion with no prior footprint in cement?
“Why do these funds correspond with the missing money meant for our refineries? This is not coincidence. This is corruption with a family name," Benjamin asked.
Call for full investigation and accountability
Source: UGC
The protesters demanded that the ICPC carry out a full-scale investigation into MSM Group’s financial activities, uncover its ties to Kyari’s leadership of NNPCL, and ensure that every kobo of diverted refinery funds is recovered.
They also urged that all individuals implicated in the alleged fraud, no matter their status, be held accountable.
“We speak for the mechanic in Kaduna, the mother in Warri, and the youth in Port Harcourt who have been robbed of opportunity, dignity, and truth,” Benjamin declared.
EFCC told to release report on alleged $4bn refinery fraud probe
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been urged to release a public interim report on the investigation into the alleged $4 billion refinery fraud The $4 billion was for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries under the immediate past NNPCL leadership, Mele Kyari.
The Concerned Nigerians for Transparency and Justice (CNTJ) said six months is sufficient for Nigerians to get to know about the progress of the probe and any funds recovered.
Source: Legit.ng
