Nigerians in Diaspora to lead major protest for arrest of NNPC boss Mele Kyari, reason emerges

2 weeks ago 33
  • The Diaspora Good Governance Watch (DGGW) has planned a massive protest abroad against Mele Kyari, demanding his arrest and prosecution over alleged corruption and a staggering $6.8 billion debt
  • The NNPC’s submission of owing petrol suppliers $6.8 billion has sparked outrage from the group, who describe it as a blatant example of the corruption and mismanagement plaguing the corporation under Kyari’s leadership
  • Over 1,000 Nigerians are expected to demonstrate at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, while more than 500 will protest in London

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

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 (NNPCL).

Nigerians abroad plan massive protests demanding Kyari’s arrest over $6.8 billion NNPC debtNNPC boss Mele Kyari. Photo credit: NNPCL
Source: Facebook

The protests, scheduled to take place in London and at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 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 (APC), 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 UNGA 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 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.

Read more about Mele Kyari, NNPC here:

Fuel hike: Shettima summons Lokpobiri, Kyari

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Vice President Kashim Shettima summoned an emergency meeting with the minister of state for petroleum resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the NNPCL managing director, Kyari.

The emergency summons were due to the sudden hike in the cost of petrol.

Source: Legit.ng

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