By Anan Geolengs
A coalition of civil society organisations has threatened to stage an indefinite protest at the National Assembly from Tuesday, July 28, 2026, over alleged delays in investigating financial misconduct claims against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and his management team.
The Civil Society Alliance for Transparency and Development, CSATD, said the protest is to demand accountability and a thorough probe into the management of Nigeria’s oil sector.
In a statement signed by its Convener and National Coordinator, Comrade Mohammed Basah, the coalition alleged that corruption in the public sector has fueled poverty, unemployment and economic hardship.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, CSATD said about 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, and argued that unaddressed corruption continues to undermine national development.
The group referenced ongoing and past cases involving former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, SAN, saying recovered assets show the scale of financial crimes in public office.
CSATD raised concerns over the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries, alleging that $2.956 billion was spent under Kyari’s leadership without adequate public accountability.
It also cited audit reports and public discussions on refinery rehabilitation costs, crude-for-fuel transactions, revenue deductions, crude-backed financing arrangements, and fuel subsidy-related issues.
According to the coalition, several investigations and legislative inquiries have failed to reach a public conclusion.
“We particularly fault the Senate Committee on Public Accounts for an apparent lack of progress after initially announcing a probe into alleged financial irregularities involving the NNPCL,” the statement said.
The coalition also questioned the Senate’s handling of Kyari’s failure to appear before lawmakers, noting reports that Senate leadership disagreed with calls by Senator Adams Oshiomhole for stronger enforcement measures.
CSATD further accused anti-corruption agencies of inaction, saying the EFCC and ICPC “have not acted decisively on the allegations.”
The group said it has mobilised members to occupy the National Assembly complex with protest materials until it receives “satisfactory answers” from the Senate, EFCC, ICPC and other relevant authorities.
“As law-abiding citizens, we have communicated our concerns and if nothing is done to address them, we will occupy the National Assembly and exercise our rights to peaceful protest until our demands are met,” Basah said.
The coalition said invitations have been extended to other civil society organisations to join the demonstration, describing it as “part of a broader campaign for accountability and transparency in public office.”
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