A group of lawyers and human rights activists on Wednesday stormed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Abuja, protesting what they described as a cover-up in the alleged $4 billion refinery rehabilitation scandal involving former NNPCL boss, Mele Kyari.
The coalition, under the name Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), said the $4 billion wasted on failed refinery projects amounts to “economic treason.”
Speaking during the protest, CLCN spokesperson, Barrister Theophilus Ojonugwa, demanded a thorough forensic audit to uncover how the money was spent.
“This is not just about money; it is an attack on the lives of Nigerians and a setback to our national progress,” Ojonugwa said, stressing that the failure to fix the refineries has kept Nigeria dependent on imported petroleum products.
The group linked the missing $4 billion to abandoned schools, poorly equipped hospitals, and job losses, describing it as a betrayal of trust between leaders and citizens.
They accused EFCC of “romancing corruption” by shielding powerful figures while young Nigerians get punished severely for minor crimes.
According to Ojonugwa, “Justice must be equal for all. Treating the $4 billion refinery scandal with kid gloves will only make Nigeria look like a safe haven for looters.”
The protesters demanded the arrest and prosecution of everyone involved, along with the seizure of assets traced to the scandal.
CLCN also recommended that an independent international forensic audit be carried out to ensure transparency. They urged President Bola Tinubu to use the case as a turning point in his anti-corruption fight.
“If the $4 billion had been used wisely, Nigeria would not be suffering fuel shortages today,” Ojonugwa lamented.
The group urged the EFCC to take bold steps to regain public trust, warning that Nigerians are watching closely and will hold the agency accountable.
“The future of this nation lies in the courage of its people,” Ojonugwa concluded, calling on Nigerians to stay alert and demand justice.
