A group of Nigerians under the banner of 'Rescue Nigeria Now' staged protests at the Nigerian High Commission and UK Home Office in London on Monday, demanding the extradition of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
The demonstrators submitted formal petitions to both institutions, calling for Kyari's return to Nigeria to face investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure from 2019 to 2025.
Protesters carried placards with messages such as "Withdraw Mele Kyari's residency now!", "Mele Kyari go home and face EFCC now!", and "London is not for public officials who abused public trust."
Allegations of Misappropriation
In their petition to the Nigerian High Commissioner, the group expressed profound disillusionment over Kyari's presence in London while allegedly evading accountability in Nigeria.
"We see this as an affront to the people of Nigeria and an insult to the esteemed anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that an individual of such notoriety whose tenure in NNPCL was marred by unprecedented corruption and international embarrassment should be allowed to roam freely on British soil without facing the consequences of his actions," the petition stated.
The protesters detailed several allegations against the former NNPCL boss, including the misappropriation of billions of dollars earmarked for the rehabilitation of Nigeria's refineries in Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt.
"It is on record to date that billions of dollars that were ostensibly budgeted for the rehabilitation of Nigeria's decrepit refineries just unaccountably vanished into a bureaucratic abyss under the leadership of Mr. Kyari," the petition read.
Appeal to UK Authorities
In their address to the UK Home Office, the group emphasized the international implications of harboring individuals accused of corruption. They called upon British authorities to act in accordance with existing reciprocal treaties and agreements between the UK and Nigeria designed to curtail corruption and ensure that fugitive criminals do not find safe havens abroad.
"We are aware that Mr. Kyari is currently residing in the United Kingdom, a development he carefully orchestrated to evade facing justice in Nigeria for numerous acts of corruption and shady dealings that took place during his tenure," they alleged.
The protesters demanded that the Nigerian High Commission refrain from according Kyari any form of official reception, recognition, or diplomatic courtesy until he returns to Nigeria to submit himself to the EFCC and other relevant investigative bodies.
This protest comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Kyari's tenure at NNPCL, which ended earlier this year. The former NNPCL chief has not publicly responded to these allegations or the protest at the time of reporting.
