…as Nigerians submit letters to UK Home Office, High Commission

Hundreds of Nigerians stormed the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London on Monday, May 12, 2025, demanding that ex-NNPCL boss Mele Kyari be deported to Nigeria to face corruption investigations.

The demonstrators, under the banner of Rescue Nigeria Now, gathered outside the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office, submitting formal petitions to both institutions.

Protesters carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Withdraw Mele Kyari’s residency now!”, “Mele Kyari go home and face EFCC now!”, and “London is not for public officials who abused public trust.”

They accused Kyari of fleeing Nigeria to evade accountability for alleged financial misconduct during his tenure at NNPCL from 2019 to 2025.

In a letter addressed to the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the group said: “We are profoundly disillusioned and appalled by the effrontery with which Mr. Kyari has been walking in the street of London with impunity, while the tables of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria are flooded with so much petitions, audit queries, and evidences on the many alleged corrupt financial dealings and infraction that have been attached to his tenure which spanned from 2019 to 2025.”

“We see this as an affront to the people of Nigeria and an insult to the esteemed anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that an individual of such notoriety whose tenure in NNPCL was marred by unprecedented corruption and international embarrassment should not be allowed to roam freely on British soil without facing the consequences of his actions.

“Your Excellency, this letter is not merely a petition—it is a demand— A moral, civic, and nationalistic demand. We, therefore, demand in the strongest terms that the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom refrains from according him any form of official reception, recognition, or diplomatic courtesy until he returns to Nigeria to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant investigative bodies for the myriad allegations that trail his tenure.”

The petition detailed several allegations against Kyari, including the misappropriation of funds earmarked for refinery rehabilitation.

“It is on record till date that billions of dollars that were ostensibly budgeted for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s decrepit refineries in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt just unaccountably vanished into a bureaucratic abyss under the leadership of Mr. Kyari. While the nation was waiting expectantly for positive results, it was unfortunate that no tangible infrastructural improvement or reasonable output has been recorded as a justification to the gargantuan expenditures being made. Instead, Nigeria, a country known as the largest oil producer in Africa , continued importing refined petroleum products while its refineries remained moribund, mothballed, and perfunctorily maintained, further weakening the Nigeria naira,” the letter reads.

“At present, the forensic opacity that surrounded these rehabilitation contracts which have collectively impoverished the nation and eroded public trust in governance has been a point of convergence and sensitivity to several anti-corruption watchdogs and international observers who have described the NNPCL under Kyari as an Impenetrable black box.

Moreover, it was alleged that Mele Kyari was running a syndicate of racketeers who were massively benefiting from the fuel importation operations at the detriment of the nation’s wealth.

“Under Kyari’s leadership, the controversial fuel subsidy regime mysteriously shrouded in confusion, crony capitalism, and unexplainable contradictions. opaque subsidy payments of over trillions of naira were disburses under the pretext of cushioning fuel costs. Yet, these payments lacked empirical substantiation and transparency on how it was spent. In demanding accountability, figures contradicted themselves, audits were ignored, and most damningly of this theatrics is that ordinary Nigerians were the ones that continued to suffer from the effects of fluctuating pump prices, artificial scarcity being created from his recklessness, and the nationwide persistent fuel queues that hit the country— a phenomenon that outrightly became emblematic of governance failure.

“Subsidy removal, though a visionary idea by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, however became an ideological tool of deceit, not policy relief under Kyari’s watch. The EFCC has reportedly received whistleblower testimonies and documents alleging fraudulent invoicing, overblown subsidy claims, and clandestine offshore payments.”

Addressing the UK Home Office, Rescue Nigeria Now emphasized the international implications of harboring individuals accused of corruption.

The letters further alleged that Kyari transferred illicit funds to UK bank accounts.

“We are aware that Mr. Kyari is currently residing in the United Kingdom, a development he carefully orchestrated to evade facing justice in Nigeria for numerous acts of corruption and shady dealings that took place during his tenure,” the letter added.

“We have cause to believe that for Mr. Kyari to have fled to the United Kingdom, he has transferred parts of the proceeds of his crimes to bank accounts in London, which would be a violation of anti-money laundering legislation in your country.”

The coalition called upon the UK authorities to act in accordance with international anti-corruption agreements.

“The United Kingdom and Nigeria have established reciprocal treaties and agreements to curtail their citizens from willfully engaging in corruption and other criminal activities. This relationship is intended to ensure that justice is served and that fugitive criminals do not find safe havens in foreign countries.

“Considering the extensive evidence of corruption and the severe impact on Nigeria, we hereby request that the Home Office expel Mr. Mele Kyari so that he can return to Nigeria. It is imperative that he faces justice for his actions and that the stolen funds are recovered to aid in the nation’s recovery and development.”

The protest and petitions underscore the growing demand among Nigerians, both at home and abroad, for transparency and accountability in public service.

As the EFCC continues its investigations into the alleged misconduct during Kyari’s tenure, the international community’s response remains to be seen.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has admitted that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is making reconcilliatory moves and had visited, alongside two other governors visited him.

Wike the immediate past governor of Rivers State, said this on Monday following reports that Fubara, who was suspended earlier in the year, visited the FCT minister.

Yes, he visited,” Wike said during a media parley with select journalists in Abuja.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A civil society organization, African Initiative Against Abuse of Public Trust, has filed a suit against the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over the alleged plan to sell 60% equity in IBEDC at a “giveaway price” of $62 million—far below the $169 million reportedly paid for the same stake in 2013.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2025 and filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeks to stop what the plaintiff describes as an illegal, secretive, and grossly undervalued transaction that constitutes a waste of public assets and a violation of public trust.

Represented by a team of lawyers led by Chibuzor C. Ezike, the CSO is asking the court to declare that AMCON, as a public agency holding the 60% stake in trust for Nigerians, cannot sell or assign the shares for less than the original acquisition cost.

The plaintiff argues that the sale price—reportedly pegged at N100 billion (about $62 million)—represents a $107 million loss and contravenes public interest.

Among the declarations and orders sought, the plaintiff is asking the court to:

Declare that AMCON holds the 60% equity stake in IBEDC in trust for the Nigerian public and is bound to act in their best interest.

Declare that the 2013 valuation of $169 million for the 60% stake remains the minimum permissible price for any future sale, transfer, or disposal.

Nullify any transaction involving the sale of the shares at a value below $169 million, citing it as illegal, corrupt, and an abuse of office.

Restrain BPE and NERC from approving or consenting to any sale of the shares below the stated valuation.

Set aside any concluded or attempted transaction conducted in violation of these principles.

Award legal costs as deemed appropriate by the court.

The plaintiff filed a statement of claim, a verifying affidavit, and documentary exhibits, including privatization documents, media reports, and public notices, in support of its case.

The CSO recounted the privatization history of IBEDC, stating that in 2013, the 60% equity stake was sold to Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company Limited for $169 million, based on a valuation conducted by the National Council on Privatization and BPE.

Following a default on loan obligations by the investor, AMCON assumed control of the shares via a receivership process, having acquired the loan from Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) as an eligible bank asset.

The plaintiff alleges that AMCON now plans to quietly sell the shares to “preferred investors” at N100 billion ($62 million), without a public bid or transparency, in a manner that undermines accountability and potentially facilitates corrupt enrichment.

The plaintiff cited a Nigerian Tribune report dated April 10, 2025, titled “IBEDC Sale, Another National Asset Giveaway”, which criticized the deal as opaque and potentially corrupt.

The report noted that IBEDC, Nigeria’s largest power distribution company, is responsible for electricity supply to over 30 million people across Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, and parts of Kogi, Ekiti, and Niger states.

According to the publication, IBEDC’s asset base is reportedly valued at over N1 trillion, yet it is being sold for just a fraction of that. The report raised alarms about the secrecy of the transaction and the absence of competitive bidding, accusing AMCON, BPE, and NERC officials of facilitating a “giveaway” of a critical national asset.

The plaintiff argues that the sale violates procurement principles and undermines transparency in public asset management. It called on anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to intervene and ensure accountability.

The Plaintiff in the suit contends that selling such a vital public asset far below its assessed value would not only constitute economic sabotage but would also erode public trust and contribute to the deepening energy crisis in Nigeria.

The Court is yet to fix a date for hearing of the suit.