The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have accused security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of shielding former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, amid an expanding corruption scandal.

In a joint statement, CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, and CNCSOs’ National Secretary, Alhaji Ali Abacha, expressed outrage over reports that the EFCC arrested sacked managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries over alleged mismanagement of nearly $3 billion allocated for rehabilitation.

“We have consistently raised alarms over the brazen corruption and mismanagement at NNPCL. Today, while the EFCC is busy arresting the small masquerades, the chief masquerade is still dancing freely in the market square without qualms. This is unacceptable, and Nigerians will not be fooled,” the statement declared.

The groups noted that the EFCC probe has expanded to include Mele Kyari and 13 other former top NNPCL executives, covering allegations of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. Those under investigation include Abubakar Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ademoye Jelili, Mustapha Sugungun, Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama.

The CNPP and CNCSOs condemned the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation as a monumental scam, having consumed over $897 million yet failed to produce petrol or sustain operations. “The Nigerian government and public were deceived into celebrating emptiness. Today, independent reports confirm no fuel trucks are lifting products from the facility, confirming our earlier warnings,” the statement noted.

Mele Kyari recently stated, “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.” Responding to this, the groups said, “If Engr. Kyari truly fears God and is ready to account, then he must return immediately to face the EFCC probe. Hiding abroad contradicts his public declaration.”

The groups blamed security agencies for their failure to place Kyari on a watchlist or restrict his movement pending investigation, calling it a betrayal of public trust. “We demand answers from the security agencies that allowed Kyari’s exit despite the gravity of allegations against him, including allegations of diversion of proceeds from reportedly sold stolen crude oil in China under questionable circumstances,” the statement said.

The CNPP and CNCSOs vowed to continue monitoring, exposing, and providing leads to anti-corruption agencies until all those responsible for looting and sabotaging Nigeria’s oil sector are held accountable. They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that no member of the sacked NNPCL management is shielded from prosecution. “The fight against corruption must be total, impartial, and unrelenting. Nigerians demand justice. The world is watching,” they concluded.