Deport Mele Kyari over NNPCL probe – Protesters storm UAE embassy

Hundreds of young Nigerian professionals on Wednesday gathered at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Abuja, demanding the deportation of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), to face questions over alleged corruption during his tenure.

The protesters, organized under the Young Professionals Forum (YPF), emphasized that Kyari must be present in Nigeria to account for the financial irregularities linked to the national oil company while he was in office.

Barrister Sambari Benjamin, speaking on behalf of the group, highlighted that Kyari’s alleged corrupt practices have had severe repercussions on Nigeria’s economy, particularly impacting the energy sector.

According to the protesters, Kyari’s tenure was characterized by the deliberate obstruction of local refining initiatives, a disregard for national interests, and personal enrichment.

They further accused Kyari’s leadership of crippling national productivity, draining Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, and increasing consumer exposure to adulterated petroleum products.

The Young Professionals Forum called on the UAE government to deny Kyari residency and asylum, and urged that he be blacklisted to prevent any attempt to evade justice.

“We believe Mele Kyari’s actions have brought shame to our nation and its people. His alleged corrupt practices have inflicted devastating damage on our economy. We cannot stand by while those in positions of authority abuse their power for personal gain,” said Benjamin during the protest.

He added, “We urge the UAE government to refuse Kyari residency and asylum, and to blacklist him. The Nigerian people demand accountability and transparency, and we will not rest until justice is served.”

The group warned that granting asylum to Kyari would undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other public officials to escape accountability by fleeing abroad.

They urged the UAE to uphold its commitment to international cooperation and justice by denying Kyari refuge.

Benjamin further stated, “Granting safe haven to Kyari would be a direct affront to the Nigerian judicial system, which is poised to investigate and prosecute him and his accomplices.

“More importantly, it would send a damaging message to Nigerians, especially the youth and emerging professionals, that accountability is optional, impunity is portable, and justice can be circumvented by elites with financial means.

“We, the Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria, therefore strongly urge the United Arab Emirates to reject any request for residency or asylum from Kyari. Let it not be said that the UAE, a nation of high moral standing, became an escape route for one of Nigeria’s most controversial regulatory figures.”