Connect with us

News

$6.8b NNPCL Debt: Nigerians In Diaspora To Lead Protests In UK, UNGA For Arrest, Prosecution Of Mele Kyari

Published

on

**

Some Nigerians in the diaspora, under the auspices of the Diaspora Good Governance Watch (DGGW), have announced plans to lead massive protests demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd).

The protests, scheduled to take place in London and at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, are in response to the NNPC’s recent admission that it owes $6.8 billion to petrol suppliers, after initially denying any debt.

The DGGW described this as a “brazen lie” and a clear indication of the gross mismanagement, corruption, and impunity that has plagued the NNPC under Kyari’s leadership.

The group led by Kolawole Akinmosu, a former House of Representatives candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, accused Kyari of breaching international sanctions put in place by the UN Security Council, EU, and G8, making him a fugitive who must be brought to justice.

Akinmosu also lamented the failure of the NNPC to address the myriad of challenges facing the industry, leading to fuel scarcity, pipeline vandalism, and oil theft becoming the norm.

He noted that over 500 Nigerians from various European countries are expected to participate in the London protest, while over 1,000 will protest at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Akinmosu said the ongoing fuel crisis in Nigeria has taken a devastating toll on citizens, killing more Nigerians than insecurity and diseases combined while cutting off the livelihood of many families, and disproportionately affecting women and children.

Furthermore, he said Kyari’s involvement in the blending of Russian fuel in Malta to extort Nigerian citizens has had a more negative impact on the economy than anything else in the last 50 years.

“We are outraged by the Nigerian NNPC Ltd recent admission that it owes $6.8 billion to petrol suppliers, after initially denying any debt. This brazen lie is a clear indication of the gross mismanagement, corruption, and impunity that has plagued the NNPC under the leadership of Mele Kyari,” Akinmosu said.

“The NNPC’s debt crisis is a result of years of inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, which have led to fuel scarcity, pipeline vandalism, and oil theft becoming the norm. The lack of transparency and accountability in the sector has tarnished Nigeria’s reputation and led to billions of dollars lost to fraudulent activities.

“The initial denial of debt by the NNPC is a clear indication of an attempt to cover up and deceive the Nigerian people. This act of dishonesty has eroded trust and confidence in the NNPC and its leadership. It is unacceptable for a state-owned corporation to engage in such blatant deception, and Mele Kyari must be held accountable for this betrayal of public trust.

“Furthermore, Mele Kyari has breached international sanctions put in place by the UN Security Council, EU, and G8, making him a fugitive who must be brought to justice.

“Rising from our meeting in Lewisham, England, we confirm that over 500 Nigerians from various European countries will participate in a protest in London, while over 1,000 Nigerians will protest at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. These protests will demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mele Kyari for his crimes against Nigeria and its people.

“The call for Mele Kyari’s removal is no longer sufficient; we demand for his arrest and prosecution globally. The New York protests will be coordinated by Charles George Oche and promise to be one of the largest assemblies of black people.”

The DGGW called on the international community to join them in demanding justice for Nigeria and its people, stating that Mele Kyari must be held accountable for his crimes, and the NNPC must be reformed to ensure transparency and accountability.

The group vowed to continue protesting and demanding justice until Mele Kyari is brought to book and the NNPC is reformed.

“Kyari has failed to address the myriad of challenges facing the industry.  The sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP has dwindled, and the country’s reputation has been tarnished due to lack of transparency and accountability, with billions of dollars lost to fraudulent activities,” Akinmosu said.

“Furthermore, the industry is plagued by vested interests, with concerns over the importation of adulterated petroleum products, non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and energy security concerns.

“We call on the international community to join us in demanding justice for Nigeria and its people. Mele Kyari must be held accountable for his crimes, and the NNPC must be reformed to ensure transparency and accountability.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Obi donates N20m to Colleges of Nursing in Ahiara and Ihiala

Published

on

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated N20 million to two Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Imo and Anambra States. The beneficiaries are Holy Rosary College of Nursing, Ogbe, in Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Mbaise, and College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, presented N10 million cheques to each institution during his visits on Friday. At the Holy Rosary College of Nursing, he handed over the cheque to the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev Simeon Nwobi, at the college’s construction site. Similarly, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala, he presented the donation to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Miss Anigbo Chisom Mary, in the presence of excited students.

Highlighting the significance of his donation, Obi stressed that healthcare and education are critical to national development. He commended the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara for investing in nursing education, describing it as a vital step in securing Nigeria’s future.

“My Lords, what you are doing is a great service to our country,” Obi said. “This donation is not a favour but a recognition of your efforts in nation-building. I will always support this project because it is about securing a better future for Nigeria.”

Obi further urged the government to prioritize quality education, including the prompt payment of teachers’ salaries. He emphasized the need for free and accessible education at the primary and secondary levels, both in public and private schools.

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu’s administration not running govt in secrecy — AGF Fagbemi

Published

on

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, stating that government affairs will no longer be conducted in secrecy.

Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting on the Application of the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) in Awka, Anambra State, Fagbemi urged Nigerians to use the Act to demand accountability from their elected and appointed officials. The event was organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Represented by Garba Sunday, a lawyer in the ministry’s FoIA department, Fagbemi emphasized that the FoI Act empowers citizens to access government records and information without providing reasons for their request. He encouraged public officeholders to disclose their activities to foster trust and dispel rumors.

“The Act also provides for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to access government records. However, while the law guarantees access to information, there are exemptions and conditions that must be met before certain records can be released,” Fagbemi stated.

He commended the Anambra State government for actively implementing the Act, allowing citizens to stay informed about governance. He further called on Nigerians to exercise their right to information and participate in governance, adding that transparency leads to good governance.

“We appreciate the efforts of organizations like Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) and CTA for making this town hall meeting possible. The purpose of the FoI Act is to promote **transparency, accountability, and good governance—**not to be used as a tool for blackmail or political attacks,” he added.

In her remarks, CTA Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, lamented that many Nigerians remain unaware of their rights under the FoI Act, despite its enactment over 14 years ago.

“The Act allows citizens, including women, youth, and people with disabilities (PWDs), to track budgets, monitor government programs, and expose corruption. However, those who passed the law have done little to educate the public about its importance,” she stated.

Nwadishi highlighted that the town hall meeting aimed to empower marginalized groups to use the FoI Act in holding government institutions accountable. She also noted the work of the Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative (SAGNI) in promoting transparency in the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra State, and Edo State.

As calls for transparency and accountability grow louder, stakeholders emphasized the need for public institutions to proactively disclose information and for Nigerians to actively demand their rights, ensuring that governance remains open and inclusive.

Continue Reading

News

Damagum bows as PDP Govs move to re-assert ‘selves over party affairs

Published

on

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.