•The protesters
Some Concerned Nigerians under the umbrella of “Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria”, today, besieged the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Abuja, demanding that the embattled former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, be denied VISA or any form of entry whatsoever, into Saudi Arabia, asking for his deportation.
The Anti-Mele Kyari protest, with the protesters numbering over 1,000, comprised mainly Lawyers, Medical Doctors, Engineers, Artisans and other young Nigerian professionals; were led into the Maitama Embassy by Barr. Sambari Benjamin, the Convener and Comr. John Ndubuokwu, Organising Secretary, reports Nigerian Tribune.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the submission of a strongly worded petition, to the Embassy, Barr. Sambari said that the call was to prohibit the former NNPCL boss from fleeing the country, in an attempt to evade the ongoing probe by the antigraft agencies.
The group said, already, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), have reportedly commenced preliminary investigations into his dealings”, adding that, unsurprisingly, the investigation “has triggered his desperate attempt to seek refuge abroad. In his calculations, he believes that Saudi Arabia is the most ideal jurisdiction to shield himself from extradition, trial, and accountability”.
The group said that they were making a passionate and patriotic appeal, as there were feelers that Kyari was already in Saudi Arabia, and might wish to use the stay as a carte blanche for asylum or to evade justice.
According to the group “We, the Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria write to Your Excellency and the esteemed custodians of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja, not only as patriotic citizens but as custodians of national conscience and moral guardians of our economic legacy, We respectfully request your noble intervention in forestalling Mallam Mele Kyari, the beleaguered former Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), from fleeing into the safety of your noble Kingdom.
“Your Excellency, it is with deep disquiet and principled anxiety that we alert you of clandestine moves being orchestrated by Mallam Mele Kyari to flee Nigeria in the face of overwhelming evidence and mounting public outcry over his alleged involvement in a series of infractions that border on economic treason, institutional sabotage. If allowed to stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he would be evading justice and undermining the principles of transparency and accountability championed by both our great nations”, the group said.
“Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread mischief in the land is death, crucifixion, cutting off their hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile from the land. This ˹penalty˺ is a disgrace for them in this world, and they will suffer a tremendous punishment in the Hereafter”‘, the Petitioners said.
The group therefore, urged the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria to deny Kyari entry into the Kingdom, “under any guise — diplomatic, medical, religious, or commercial; any visa application, asylum request, or special entry petition by him”; while urging relevant Saudi Arabian authorities to liaise with Nigerian anti-corruption agencies to ensure international cooperation in this matter.
“Saudi Arabia, being a leader of the Muslim Ummah, reaffirms its unyielding stance against corruption, economic sabotage, and terrorism by distancing itself from characters like Mele Kyari”, the group stressed.
Recall that Nigerians in the United Kingdom had last week protested in the Nigerian House in London, calling out Mele Kyari to return to Nigeria to face prosecutions of the many allegations against him.
