Outside the Nigerian High Commission in London, the air was thick with chants and frustration. Placards bobbed above the crowd, screaming phrases like “Kyari Must Go!” and “London Is Not for Looters!” A sea of angry Nigerians, most of them living in the diaspora, stood united in protest with a demand that Mele Kyari, Nigeria’s former petroleum boss, be sent back home to face justice.
Kyari, who served as Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from 2019 to 2025, is currently at the center of massive corruption allegations. According to protestors, he fled the country to avoid accountability, but Nigerians abroad aren’t letting him off that easily.
Diaspora’s Moral Demand
The protest, organized by a civic group called Rescue Nigeria Now (RNN), was just as loud as it was official. Petitions were submitted to both the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office with a clear demand: revoke Kyari’s residency and deport him to Nigeria to face investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In their words, this wasn’t merely a complaint, it was “a moral, civic, and nationalistic demand.” Kyari is currently facing serious allegations of gross misconduct, with billions of dollars reportedly allocated for refinery repairs in Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt said to have “vanished into a bureaucratic abyss” under his leadership. One protestor said it plainly: “Our country is broke, our youths are hungry. Yet, our leaders run to foreign countries to rest on stolen wealth.” It’s time for justice.”
“Well-Deserved Rest” or Well-Timed Escape?
Interestingly, Mele Kyari himself has responded, though not directly to the protestors. In a late-night post on X (formerly Twitter), he dismissed the rumours of his arrest by the EFCC, stating he was simply taking a “well-deserved rest” following the recent shake-up at NNPCL. He labelled the corruption claims as “clear mischief” and said he was ready to respond to any lawful inquiry. However, many aren’t buying it. “The timing”, they argue, “is too suspicious to ignore”.
According to the petitions, Kyari’s time at NNPCL was marked by a fuel subsidy regime riddled with inflated claims and secret offshore payments. Persistent fuel scarcity left Nigerians queueing endlessly at petrol stations. “Subsidy removal became a tool of deceit, not policy relief,” the petition read. “His tenure was emblematic of governance failure.”
Not Just About Kyari
This isn’t the first time Nigerians in the diaspora have taken a stand like this. And it likely won’t be the last. Increasingly, diaspora voices are demanding accountability for those who flee Nigeria after public service. Many of them live lavishly abroad while their alleged crimes remain unpunished.
The protestors also reminded the UK government of its anti-corruption treaties with Nigeria. They warned that allowing Kyari to roam free would not only mock Nigeria’s efforts but could also breach the UK’s own anti-money laundering laws. One placard read, “London Is Not a Hiding Place for Looters.” And that, in essence, is the message: if Nigeria won’t hold its leaders accountable, the global Nigerian community will.
Why This Matters
This story is bigger than one man. It’s about justice, transparency, and the struggle to reclaim a nation drained by corruption. Billions allegedly mismanaged under Kyari could have been used to fix Nigeria’s broken refineries. They could also have funded youth empowerment programs or improved education.
And let’s not forget the optics, when alleged economic saboteurs are allowed to take “well-deserved rests” in peaceful European cities while millions back home suffer, it sends a dangerous message; that looting pays, and justice can be outsourced. But not if the people have their say.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not the UK takes action remains to be seen. One thing is clear: as the people back home refuse to remain silent, the Nigerian diaspora will not be silent either. They’re watching, protesting, and refusing to let the country’s so-called “untouchables” escape accountability. And for Mele Kyari, that restful silence in London might soon be replaced by the sound of justice calling.
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