A coalition of concerned Nigerians in the United Kingdom, operating under the banner of Rescue Nigeria Now, staged a protest on Monday, May 12, 2025, at both the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London, calling for the immediate deportation of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The demonstrators, carrying bold 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”, submitted formal petitions to both the Nigerian and UK authorities. The group accused Kyari of fleeing Nigeria to evade accountability for alleged acts of financial misconduct during his tenure from 2019 to 2025.
Accusations and Petition Details
In a strongly-worded letter submitted to Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafa Tunji Isola, the coalition claimed that Kyari’s continued stay in the UK is not only an evasion of justice but also a direct affront to the Nigerian people and the nation’s anti-corruption efforts.
The letter reads in part:
“Your Excellency, this letter is not merely a petition—it is a demand. A moral, civic, and nationalistic demand. We, therefore, demand in the strongest terms that the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom refrains from according him any form of official reception, recognition, or diplomatic courtesy until he returns to Nigeria to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant investigative bodies for the myriad allegations that trail his tenure.”
The group further urged the UK Home Office to initiate deportation proceedings against Kyari, asserting that his presence in the UK undermines global anti-corruption standards and signals complicity in shielding individuals accused of misappropriating public funds.
Call for International Cooperation
Rescue Nigeria Now emphasized the importance of enforcing international agreements between the UK and Nigeria, which are designed to prevent fugitives from using foreign territories as safe havens from prosecution.
“The United Kingdom and Nigeria have existing reciprocal treaties and agreements aimed at combating corruption and ensuring that individuals who abuse public office are held accountable,” the group noted.
“Failure to act against such individuals not only weakens public trust in governance but also disrespects international frameworks on justice and accountability.”
The protesters insisted that stolen funds allegedly linked to Kyari must be recovered and redirected to support Nigeria’s economic recovery and national development.
Background on Mele Kyari
Mele Kyari served as the GCEO of NNPC Limited from 2019 until early 2025. His tenure, while marked by some industry reforms, has come under intense scrutiny following allegations of large-scale financial irregularities and opaque contract dealings. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly launched preliminary investigations into several transactions under his leadership.
Though no formal charges have been publicly confirmed as of this report, Kyari’s sudden relocation to the UK shortly after stepping down from office has raised suspicions and sparked public outcry among anti-corruption campaigners.
A Growing Demand for Accountability
This protest adds to mounting pressure on both Nigerian and British authorities to address issues of corruption-related impunity and ensure that public officials are not allowed to escape justice by seeking refuge abroad.
The coalition concluded its statement by reiterating that public office must come with responsibility and accountability.
“No matter how highly placed an individual may be, justice must prevail. Mele Kyari must return to Nigeria and face the law.”
