₦210 Trillion Accounting Discrepancies: CNPP, CSOs Demand Independent Probe of NNPCL Under Mele Kyari

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and more than 75 civil society organisations (CSOs) under the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have called for an independent judicial inquiry into the financial dealings of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), citing alleged ₦210 trillion accounting discrepancies during the tenure of former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.

In a joint statement signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, Comrade James Ezema, and the National Secretary of CNCSOs, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the groups expressed concern that legislative probes in Nigeria have historically failed to produce meaningful accountability.

They argued that despite numerous investigative hearings by the National Assembly since the return to democratic rule in 1999, many corruption cases uncovered through such probes have not resulted in prosecutions or convictions.

The groups made the remarks in reaction to the ongoing Senate investigation into the alleged discrepancies in the books of the national oil company.

While welcoming the Senate’s decision to summon former officials of NNPCL to explain the figures, the organisations warned that Nigerians had seen similar investigations in the past that ended without tangible outcomes.

According to them, many legislative probes have often generated media attention and public outrage but rarely translated into judicial consequences for those found culpable.

The CNPP and its allied CSOs therefore urged that the current probe should not follow the same pattern.

They also recalled that their organisations had repeatedly raised concerns about the financial management of the national oil company, formerly known as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), particularly during the leadership of Mele Kyari and his management team.

Among the issues highlighted were alleged opaque accounting practices and questionable disclosures related to subsidy payments, crude oil transactions, and operational spending.

The groups also expressed concern over the large sums reportedly spent on the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt Refinery, which they said had been repeatedly presented as undergoing revitalisation but failed to deliver sustainable refining capacity.

They further alleged that trillions of naira and substantial foreign currency were committed to refinery rehabilitation projects without meaningful results for Nigerians.

According to the organisations, despite the scale of the allegations, no public official has been successfully prosecuted or jailed over the projects.

The groups also criticised what they described as disparities in the operations of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

They argued that while the agencies have shown strong zeal in prosecuting some politically exposed persons, the same level of urgency appears lacking in cases involving powerful public officials.

The statement recalled that some members of the former NNPCL management, including Kyari, were reportedly invited and briefly detained by the EFCC following their removal from office, but said the public had yet to receive a detailed report of the investigation.

According to the groups, the silence surrounding the matter contrasts with the aggressive prosecutorial approach often taken in other politically sensitive cases.

The CNPP and CNCSOs therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an independent judicial commission of inquiry into the financial activities of NNPCL from 2015 to date.

They said the proposed inquiry should include a comprehensive forensic audit of the company’s finances, contracts, crude oil transactions, and subsidy claims within the period under review.

The groups also demanded a transparent investigation into funds allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries, including the Port Harcourt Refinery and other federal facilities.

They further called for a detailed examination of the actions and decisions of the NNPCL management under Mele Kyari, including directors and senior officials who served during the period.

According to them, the findings of such an investigation should be made public and followed by the prosecution of any individuals found culpable.

The organisations maintained that allegations involving trillions of naira must not end without consequences, stressing that Nigerians deserve a transparent and credible investigation capable of restoring confidence in the management of the country’s petroleum resources.

They added that legislative hearings alone would not sufficiently address the concerns surrounding the operations of the national oil company without an independent judicial inquiry and a comprehensive forensic audit.