A coalition of lawyers and civil society organizations (CSOs) on Tuesday submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), seeking full disclosure on the status of refineries refurbished during the tenure of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer.
DAILY POST reports that the lawyers and CSOs have been pushing for the probe of Kyari’s tenure as NNPCL chief. They have already submitted petitions against Kyari to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Ministry of Finance and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, which is leading the push, demanded transparency and accountability on the reported expenditure of $4 billion on refineries repairs.
Led by Comrade Ogwuche Emmanuel, the group alleged inflation of refineries rehabilitation contracts, fraudulent allocation of crude oil proceeds, misappropriation of funds and other questionable practices during Kyari’s tenure from July 2019 to April 2025.
The FOI request seeks specific details on payments to consultants and contractors, crude oil allocations, budgetary provisions for the AKK Pipeline Project, documentation on gasoline imports, and information on crude-backed loans and oil exploration activities.
The group emphasized the need for accountability and restoring public trust in NNPCL’s operations.
The lawyers and CSOs urged the NNPCL to provide the requested information within the stipulated timeframe under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
In a letter signed by Comrade Ogwuche Emmanuel, the group said, “We are concerned about the growing reports of monumental Inflation of the Refineries Rehabilitation Contracts with allegations that the costs of refurbishing the refineries were significantly inflated, Fraudulent Allocation and Mismanagement of Crude Oil Proceeds, Misappropriation of Funds in the AKK Gas Pipeline Project, Fuel Subsidy Fraud, Value Review for NNPCL’s Crude-Backed Loans, and Fraudulent Oil Exploration Activities that have yielded no benefits to the nation.
“Our findings, supported by reliable intelligence, suggest a pattern of institutionalizing of these questionable practices during Mallam Kyari’s tenure. As an organisation of law-abiding Nigerians, who are affected by these identified issues, we require information to seek judicial intervention.
“Consequently, we require the following information from July 1, 2019 to April 29, 2025: Specific details of payments to consultants and contractors, work scopes, and the justification for payments for the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries.
“Information regarding crude oil allocations and financial transactions under the guise of pipeline security payments. Details of the budgetary provisions, foreign financing arrangements, and physical progress of the AKK Pipeline Project.
“Documentation including ship records, bills of lading, and discharge certificates for gasoline imports during the stated period. Information regarding the structure, terms, and purposes of crude-backed loans taken from 2019 to date.
“Documentation and feasibility outcomes of oil exploration activities in Gombe, Bauchi, Ogun, and Nasarawa states. Given the gravity of the allegations that necessitated this request, it is imperative that the NNPCL provides full transparency on the expenditures and activities undertaken during Mallam Kyari’s tenure.”;
