Nigerians in UK protest, demand deportation of Mele Kyari
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Hundreds of Nigerians reportedly protested at the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London, calling for the deportation of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) boss, Mele Kyari, to face corruption investigations in Nigeria.
Demonstrating under the banner of Rescue Nigeria Now (RNN), the protestors assembled outside both institutions on Monday, May 12, 2025, where they submitted formal petitions.
According to Pulse, the crowd carried placards with messages including “Withdraw Mele Kyari’s residency now!” “Mele Kyari, go home and face the EFCC now!” and “London is not for public officials who abused public trust.”
Protestors alleged that Kyari fled Nigeria to avoid accountability for financial misconduct during his six-year tenure at NNPCL from 2019 to 2025.
In their petition to the Nigerian High Commissioner, the group expressed outrage at Kyari’s presence in London “with impunity”, noting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria have received numerous petitions concerning his tenure.
We see this as an affront to the people of Nigeria and an insult to the esteemed anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the group stated in their letter.
The petition also detailed allegations including misappropriation of funds meant for refinery rehabilitation, claiming billions of dollars earmarked for refineries in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt “unaccountably vanished into a bureaucratic abyss” under Kyari’s leadership.
RNN also addressed the UK Home Office about the international implications of harbouring individuals accused of corruption, alleging that Kyari had transferred illicit funds to UK bank accounts.
“We have cause to believe that for Mr. Kyari to have fled to the United Kingdom, he has transferred parts of the proceeds of his crimes to bank accounts in London,” the petition claimed.
The coalition urged UK authorities to act in accordance with international anti-corruption agreements between the two nations.
