By Bayo Wahab

A coalition of Nigerians in the United Kingdom, operating under the banner Rescue Nigeria Now, staged a peaceful demonstration on Monday at the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London. 

The group submitted formal petitions requesting the return of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group CEO, Mele Kyari, to Nigeria to support ongoing investigative processes.

The protest aimed to draw attention to calls for transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

In a petition addressed to the Nigerian High Commissioner, the group cited concerns raised during Kyari’s tenure between 2019 and 2025, particularly around refinery rehabilitation projects and the fuel subsidy program. 

The letter stated that returning to Nigeria to respond to inquiries would help strengthen public confidence and allow relevant institutions to complete their work.

“This letter is not merely a petition, it is a demand. A moral, civic, and nationalistic demand,” the letter read. “We therefore request that the High Commission withhold any form of official courtesy to Mr. Kyari until he submits himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other appropriate institutions in Nigeria.”

The petition also highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation between the UK and Nigeria, especially regarding anti-corruption frameworks.

In a separate petition to the UK Home Office, the group emphasized the significance of international collaboration in maintaining global financial integrity. Citing treaties and anti-corruption agreements between both countries, the coalition urged UK authorities to ensure that individuals facing active investigations are available to assist with due process in their home country.

“The United Kingdom and Nigeria have established reciprocal treaties and agreements to curtail their citizens from engaging in corruption and other criminal activities,” the group wrote. “We request that Mr. Kyari return to Nigeria in line with these shared commitments.”

The protest was marked by orderly conduct and civil engagement, with demonstrators emphasising the broader goal of fostering institutional transparency and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic structures. 

While investigations by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies are ongoing, participants stated their belief that public officials’ cooperation with legal processes is vital for national development.

Vanguard News