46 Days, Still No Action: Protesters Storm EFCC, Demand Mele Kyari’s Arrest
A coalition of protesters—led by lawyers and outraged citizens—returned to the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mele Kolo Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The protesters, headed by Barrister Ojonugwa Theophilus, accused the EFCC of foot-dragging on a petition submitted on April 25, 2025, which detailed allegations of multi-billion naira fraud, tax evasion, economic sabotage, and abuse of office by Kyari.
“It’s been 46 days,” Theophilus declared, “and the EFCC hasn’t taken a single visible step to act on our petition. This silence is disturbing.”
The group expressed outrage that Kyari has not even been invited for questioning, despite the weighty allegations and the public interest in holding top officials accountable.
“We’re not here to play politics,” Theophilus said. “We’re here to demand action, not excuses. The EFCC cannot claim to be fighting corruption while protecting high-profile suspects.”
While acknowledging the EFCC’s efforts in past anti-corruption battles, the protesters warned that public trust is eroding fast unless the Commission steps up and acts.
“This is about restoring faith in justice,” they insisted. “No Nigerian—no matter how powerful—should be above the law.”
The EFCC is yet to issue a public statement in response to Tuesday’s protest or the status of the petition against Kyari.
