A group of legal practitioners under the banner of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy has condemned the planned probe of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, stating that his record in office is one of the most transparent.
According to the lawyers, Kyari, who served as NNPCL’s GCEO from July 2019 to April 2025, deserves appreciation rather than what they describe as a “witch hunt.”
The condemnation comes in reaction to reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had launched an investigation into alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds by former senior officials of NNPCL.
Speaking through its Deputy National Coordinator, Barr. Ndu Edede, the group argued that Kyari left behind an enviable legacy that should be celebrated rather than scrutinized. “The Lawyers in Defence of Democracy have noted with consternation the reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched a probe into the alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds by former senior officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), including two former chief executives, Mele Kyari and Abubakar Yar’Adua,” the group stated.
They referred to a letter dated April 28, addressed to the Group Managing Director at NNPC Towers.
The letter, titled “Investigation Activities Request for Information” with reference number CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/SDC.2/NNPC/VOL.1/698, listed 14 individuals under investigation, including Kyari, Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, and Ibrahim Onoja, among others.
The lawyers however highlighted Kyari’s achievements during his tenure, noting that he successfully midwifed the Petroleum Industry Act which completely overhauled the company and the oil and gas sectors with far-reaching reforms that are currently benefiting the country.
They also credited him with leading the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal policy that has made more funds available to the government.
“However, we make bold to say that Kyari’s record in NNPCL as the Group Managing Director (GMD) and subsequently Group Chief Executive Officer(GCEO) is one of the most transparent, hence the alleged probe is intended to smear his image and discredit the enviable legacies he left behind.
“The former GMD/GCEO midwifed the Petroleum Industry Act which has ensured the total overhaul of the NNPC and the entire oil industry. Under his watch, oil production has risen to about 2 million barrels per day; moribund refineries are being resuscitated while the Dangote Refinery came on board, changing Nigeria’s petroleum sector’s narratives. These feats have never been achieved before.
“As Kyari himself said ‘he served Nigeria with the fear of God and is willing to account for his stewardship.’ While we stand with the former GMD/GCEO, we implored EFCC to circumspect about it’s planned probe in order not to be a sort of witch hunt of the someone who sacrificed his life- time, energy and comfort in service to the country,” the lawyers stated on Monday.
Responding to the allegations earlier, Kyari, in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, denied being in EFCC custody and expressed readiness to account for his stewardship.
“I served not only my country but also God. I am happy to account for my stewardship,” Kyari stated.
He further said: “Over the past few days and in particular in the past 2 hours, I have been inundated with calls from concerned family and friends over claims by an online newspaper that I was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. This is clear mischief and a calculated attempt by the newspaper and its sponsors to achieve a desired outcome, which only them know.”
Kyari noted that he is currently “taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL,” adding that in his 34 years of service to NNPCL, with 17 years in management roles, he “had little time for leave of even two weeks.”
Stressing his commitment to accountability, Kyari stated: “I must emphasize that I served with the fear of God knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man. Therefore, having served in public capacity, I am willing and happy to account for my stewardship in this world.”
He cautioned the media against disinformation, saying it “does not serve anyones purpose, the NNPCL or the country in General, as it has the potential to send the wrong signals to investors and the international community.”
