“Where’s Our Oil Money?” — Protesters Storm AGF’s Office, Demand Probe of Ex-NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari Over $2 Billion Debt Mystery
Tensions flared in Abuja as a group of angry protesters under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), demanding an immediate investigation into former NNPCL boss, Mele Kyari, over a jaw-dropping $2 billion debt allegedly owed to Matrix Energy.
In a petition submitted on Wednesday, the group raised serious concerns over what they described as “perplexing and shady transactions” carried out under Kyari’s leadership at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
“Why and how is the Federal Government, through NNPCL, owing Matrix Oil $2 billion?” the group asked. “And why is this debt being secretly paid with daily crude oil supplies?”
According to the protesters, not only is Matrix Energy reportedly receiving daily crude allocations without upfront payment, but the entire deal remains shrouded in secrecy — with Nigerians left in the dark about who signed off on it, how it was negotiated, and what it means for the country’s dwindling resources.
The protestors also questioned the controversial refinery repair contracts awarded during Kyari’s tenure and urged the AGF to conduct a judicial review of all agreements signed under his leadership.
“We believe probing these transactions will reveal how public funds were used — or misused — during the much-hyped refinery rehabilitation projects,” they said.
The group further demanded that the AGF review and audit all deals entered into by the NNPCL under Kyari, and recommend how the government can recover any misappropriated funds. They also called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to unravel the web of questionable contracts and hold responsible parties to account.
“This is not just about the past — it’s about protecting the future. If we don’t fix these leaks, we’ll keep bleeding resources at a time our economy desperately needs healing,” the statement read.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising debt, subsidy controversies, and oil revenue shortfalls, this latest protest shines a spotlight on the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the country’s oil sector — and signals that public patience may be running out.
