By Obinna Uballa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing .pressure as over 500 lawyers, civil rights activists and professionals have stormed the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, demanding action over the alleged mismanagement of $4 billion earmarked for refinery rehabilitation projects under former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) boss, Mele Kyari.
The demonstrators, under the banner of the Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), on Wednesday, submitted a petition to the EFCC calling for an immediate forensic audit, a sweeping investigation, and prosecution of anyone found culpable.
Speaking after the submission, CLCN leader Barrister Theophilus Ojonugwa described the refinery saga as a litmus test for Tinubu’s anti-graft4ẁ agenda. “This is not merely a financial matter; it is a question of national development and public trust. If $4 billion had been properly invested, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in refining today,” he said.
The group argued that the stalled projects represent a monumental betrayal of intergenerational trust and a colossal missed opportunity for progress in education, healthcare and job creation. They demanded that companies and entities linked to the projects be subjected to scrutiny by independent international forensic auditors.
“The destiny of our nation rests in the courage of its people. We will not relent in demanding accountability,” the petitioners declared, urging the EFCC to prosecute offenders and recover stolen assets.
For Tinubu, critics say the unfolding scandal represents a watershed moment that could either cement his anti-corruption credentials or expose his administration to accusations of selective justice.
