A Lagos-based watchdog organisation, the Integrity Group, has called on President Bola Tinubu to launch a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under its current Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari.
The group, led by Comrade Korede Adigun, is pushing for a probe on par with the one led by Jim Obazee into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Adigun expressed concerns over the ongoing fuel scarcity and escalating prices, attributing these issues to the alleged mismanagement and corruption within the NNPCL.
He noted that the fuel queues, which had dissipated during the tenure of former NNPCL boss Maikanti Baru, have returned under Kyari’s leadership.
The group raised questions about why President Tinubu has yet to order an investigation into the NNPCL, despite widespread public discontent.
They speculated that some board members with close ties to the president might be shielding Kyari from scrutiny.
In addition to demanding Kyari’s removal, Adigun emphasised the need for decisive action from the presidency to avert potential nationwide protests.
The Integrity Group’s call comes on the heels of remarks by Adetilewa Adebajo, CEO of CFG Advisory, who also advocated for greater oversight by the Ministry of Finance and the CBN over the NNPCL.
Adebajo pointed to the company’s liquidity problems, underutilized assets, and poor corporate governance as key issues requiring urgent attention.
The Integrity Group’s demands include:
– A full investigation into alleged corruption within NNPCL;
– The immediate removal of Mele Kyari as Group Managing Director;
– Enhanced supervisory roles by the Ministry of Finance and CBN;
– Restructuring of NNPCL’s financial management; and
– Addressing the zero revenue from refineries and lapses in corporate governance.
