A coalition of lawyers and civil rights activists on Wednesday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, demanding swift action over an alleged $4 billion refinery rehabilitation scandal linked to former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.

 

Operating under the banner of the Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), the protesters accused the EFCC of a cover-up and described the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for the nation’s refineries as “economic treason.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the group, Barr. Theophilus Ojonugwa insisted the agency must order an independent forensic audit to trace the funds.

 

“This is not merely a financial crime; it is an assault on human dignity and a subversion of national development,” Ojonugwa declared, warning that the alleged misappropriation has deepened Nigeria’s reliance on costly petroleum imports.

 

The CLCN linked the missing billions to Nigeria’s chronic underdevelopment, citing unbuilt schools, unequipped hospitals, and lost jobs. They said the scandal represents a betrayal of intergenerational trust, and accused the EFCC of engaging in a “romance with corruption” and selective prosecution, while young Nigerians face harsher penalties for far lesser offenses.

 

“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 warned.

 

The group demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all indicted persons, as well as the seizure of assets linked to the alleged fraud. They urged the Federal Government to commission a forensic audit by reputable international firms to ensure transparency.

 

CLCN also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to match his anti-corruption rhetoric with decisive action, describing the refinery probe as a potential “watershed moment” in the fight against impunity.

 

“If $4 billion had been properly invested, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in refining today,” Ojonugwa lamented, describing the scandal as a double tragedy, both a massive financial loss and a setback in the country’s struggle for energy independence.

 

 

Addressing the EFCC directly, the lawyers and activists demanded that the agency restore public confidence by acting decisively, warning that Nigerians would hold it accountable for inaction.

 

“The destiny of our nation rests in the courage of its people,” Ojonugwa concluded, urging citizens to resist complicity and keep pressing for justice.

 

As of press time, the EFCC had yet to issue an official response to the protest or the allegations against the former NNPCL boss.