ABUJA — A coalition of lawyers and civil rights activists on Wednesday besieged the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, protesting what they described as a cover-up of the alleged $4 billion refinery rehabilitation scandal linked to former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
Operating under the banner of Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), the protesters condemned the alleged diversion of funds meant for revamping Nigeria’s refineries, branding it “economic treason” and a betrayal of national trust.
Speaking during the demonstration, CLCN spokesman, Barrister Theophilus Ojonugwa, demanded a forensic audit to trace the whereabouts of the money, stressing that the scandal has kept Nigeria dependent on expensive imported petroleum products.
“This is not merely a financial crime; it is an assault on human dignity and a subversion of national development,” Ojonugwa said, lamenting that the squandered billions could have built schools, equipped hospitals, and created jobs.
The group accused the EFCC of “romancing corruption” and engaging in selective prosecutions, while ordinary Nigerians face harsh punishments for lesser crimes.
“Justice must be blind and uncompromising. Treating the $4 billion refinery scandal with velvet gloves risks cementing Nigeria’s image as a sanctuary for looters,” Ojonugwa declared.
The protesters demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those indicted, alongside the seizure of assets linked to the scandal. They also recommended an independent forensic audit by reputable international firms to ensure transparency.
CLCN urged President Bola Tinubu to make the case a “watershed moment” in his anti-corruption drive.
“If $4 billion had been properly invested, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in refining today,” Ojonugwa lamented, describing the situation as a “double tragedy of lost funds and prolonged energy poverty.”
The activists further warned the EFCC that Nigerians would hold it accountable if it failed to act decisively.
“The destiny of our nation rests in the courage of its people,” Ojonugwa charged, calling on citizens to resist complicity and demand justice.
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