ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing strong pressure over his anti-corruption drive as a coalition of lawyers, professionals and civil rights advocates staged a protest at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The group, operating under the Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), demanded action on the $4 billion allocated to the rehabilitation of refineries during the tenure of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). They marched in their numbers and submitted a petition, urging the EFCC to begin a full-scale investigation into how the funds were managed.
The protest was led by Barrister Theophilus Ojonugwa, who later addressed journalists after submitting the petition. He described the matter as a direct test of the government’s seriousness in tackling corruption. According to him, the stalled refinery projects have left Nigeria heavily dependent on imported petroleum products, which he said continues to hurt the economy and public confidence.
The Network explained that the $4 billion in question could have been invested in areas such as education, healthcare and job creation, but instead became a lost opportunity that has affected citizens across generations. They called for international forensic auditors to be involved to ensure that the outcome of the investigation is transparent and credible.
The petition requested the EFCC to not only examine the role of individuals but also scrutinize all companies or entities connected to the refinery projects. The group insisted that anyone found guilty should be prosecuted and assets recovered for the benefit of the public.
They urged President Tinubu to ensure that this case becomes a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, stressing that Nigerians must continue to demand accountability and transparency from those in public office. The group maintained that the country’s progress depends on collective action against corruption.