Lawyers Demand NNPC Chief Executive’s Removal Over Fuel Price Hikes

In a strongly worded petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu, lawyers representing the Coalition of Nigerian Legal Practitioners have called for the removal of Engr Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Their plea comes in response to the recent petrol price hikes, supply shortages, and the hardships faced by the Nigerian population.

The lawyers expressed their concerns about the detrimental impact of these issues on the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians and their well-being. They pointed to the role played by the NNPCL, asserting that it has failed in ensuring an adequate supply of petroleum products, leading to inflation, increased transportation costs, and other hardships.

The petition emphasizes the need for a leadership change within the NNPCL to inject fresh ideas and strategies to address the current crisis effectively. The legal professionals have lost faith in the current GCEO’s capability to fulfill the company’s mandate.

The lawyers have declared their intention to mobilize over 1,000 legal practitioners for a National Press Conference and Rally on November 2, 2023. This rally will serve as a platform to express the anguish experienced by Nigerians due to the fuel crisis and the unexplained scarcity of petroleum products.

Furthermore, the legal team has stated their readiness to pursue legal action to ensure their demands are met. They urge President Tinubu to use his influence to take immediate, decisive action in addressing the fuel crisis, including an assessment of the NNPCL’s Board of Directors and the current GCEO, with potential sanctions.

The lawyers firmly believe that an overhaul of the NNPCL is essential to bring meaningful change to the company’s operations and outcomes.