By Joy Odor Abuja, Nigeria
A coalition of Civil Society organisations (CSO) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, over alleged involvement in a ₦34.65 billion corruption scandal.
At a press conference held Thursday at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, the coalition which includes OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and Nigeria Concerned Citizens accused Ojulari of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and gross betrayal of public trust.
The Groups allege that Ojulari is the true owner of $21 million (approximately ₦34.65 billion at the prevailing exchange rate of ₦1,650/$1), recently traced to a personal associate, Abdullahi Bashir Haske, who is currently in EFCC custody. According to the coalition, Haske confessed to holding the funds on behalf of the NNPCL boss.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Emmanuel Ekpeyong of OilWatch Nigeria described the scandal as a “crisis of trust” and called on the EFCC to act decisively.
“The evidence against Ojulari is damning,” he said. “The EFCC must move beyond delay tactics and bring him to justice immediately.”
The Groups alleged that Ojulari lives an extravagant lifestyle, including long-term residence in the Presidential Suite of the upscale Wells Carlton Hotel, and is involved in using shell companies to siphon public funds through inflated contracts and kickbacks.
In addition to the corruption allegations, the Coalition accused Ojulari of cronyism and obstructing ongoing investigations, warning that his continued presence at the helm of NNPCL is a threat to national integrity and investor confidence in the oil and gas sector.
To press home their demands, the coalition announced a three-day peaceful protest beginning Friday, August 1, at strategic locations including the National Assembly, the NNPCL Headquarters, and EFCC offices in Abuja.
The protest, they said, will continue until Ojulari is arrested, prosecuted, and dismissed from office.
Danladi Usman of Workers’ Rights Alliance said, “We will not stand idly by while public wealth is looted by a few individuals. The EFCC must act, and President Tinubu must take a firm stand if his administration’s anti-corruption posture is to be taken seriously.”
The Coalition urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support anti-corruption agencies by removing Ojulari from office, warning that the scandal threatens the credibility of his administration.
“This is no longer about politics or personal interests; it’s about national survival and restoring faith in public institutions. “We are calling on every Nigerian to join us in demanding accountability,” said Babatunde Anifowoshe of Nigeria Concerned Citizens.
The Coalition warned that failure to act decisively in this case would signal impunity at the highest levels and risk further damaging public trust in the government’s anti-corruption agenda.
As the EFCC continues its investigations, all eyes are now on the federal government to determine whether the growing calls for accountability will lead to concrete action or fade into another chapter of unresolved allegations in Nigeria’s long fight against corruption.
