News

Again CSOs protest, accuse NNPCL’s Ojulari of corruption, embezzlement

Published

3 months ago

August 1, 2025

Joel Ajayi

A coalition of civil society groups, including OilWatch Nigeria and Workers’ Rights Alliance, held a press conference at the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, July 31, 2025, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The coalition alleged that Ojulari was implicated in a massive corruption scandal involving ₦34.65 billion, equivalent to $21 million. According to the group, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has already detained Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a close associate of Ojulari, who confessed to holding the $21 million on Ojulari’s behalf.

The press conference was jointly signed by the trio of Emmanuel Ekpeyong representing OilWatch Nigeria; Danladi Usman from Workers’ Right Alliance and Babatunde Anifowoshe of Nigeria Concerned Citizens. The coalition also announced a three-day peaceful protest starting August 1, 2025, at the National Assembly, NNPCL Headquarters, and the EFCC office in Abuja.

“We will not stand idly by while one individual’s greed tarnishes our collective future,” said Emmanuel Ekpeyong of OilWatch Nigeria. “The evidence against Ojulari is damning, and the EFCC must act swiftly to bring him to justice.”

The coalition also accused Ojulari of living an extravagant lifestyle, residing in the lavish Presidential Suite of the Wells Carlton Hotel, and using shell companies to siphon funds through inflated contracts and kickbacks.

The group is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption by supporting the EFCC’s efforts to arrest and prosecute Ojulari and removing him from his position as NNPCL CEO.

As the nation waits with bated breath for accountability, one thing is clear: the fight against corruption has reached a critical juncture. Will justice be served, or will the powerful once again escape accountability? Only time will tell,” the coalition stressed.

The statement reads in full: We, the coalition of OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and concerned citizens, stand united today to confront a grave injustice that threatens the soul of our nation and undermines the credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

We are here to demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), who has been directly implicated in a massive corruption scandal.

His actions have plunged Nigeria into a crisis of trust and economic sabotage, and we will not stand idly by while one individual’s greed tarnishes our collective future. The evidence against Ojulari is damning, and the EFCC must act swiftly to bring him to justice.

Bayo Ojulari’s Implication in a $21 Million Scandal

The recent detention of Abdullahi Bashir Haske by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for three days has exposed a staggering corruption scandal at the heart of NNPCL. Haske, a close associate of Ojulari, confessed to the EFCC that the $21 million found in his account—equivalent to approximately ₦34.65 billion at the current exchange rate of ₦1,650 to $1—belongs to Bayo Ojulari.

Let us be clear: this is not a trivial sum. Thirty-four billion, six hundred and fifty million naira is an obscene amount of money, enough to fund critical infrastructure, healthcare, or education for millions of Nigerians. Yet, this fortune was allegedly stashed in an account that previously held a mere $5,000 (₦8.25 million). This revelation alone demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bayo Ojulari to uncover the full extent of his illicit dealings and ensure justice for the Nigerian people.

Further Allegations Against Bayo Ojulari
Extravagant Lifestyle at Wells Carlton: While Nigerians struggle to afford basic necessities, Ojulari resides in the lavish Presidential Suite of the Wells Carlton Hotel alongside Haske. This ostentatious lifestyle, funded by questionable means, is a gross betrayal of public trust and a clear indication of ill-gotten wealth.

Damage to Tinubu’s Administration: Ojulari’s actions are inflicting irreparable harm on President Tinubu’s reputation. His leadership at NNPCL has fostered a culture of corruption, eroding public confidence in the government’s commitment to transparency. Allowing him to remain free sends a dangerous signal that corruption is tolerated at the highest levels.

Shell Companies and Contract Fraud: Ojulari is accused of orchestrating the use of shell companies to siphon funds through inflated contracts and kickbacks. Haske’s testimony allegedly exposes a network of illicit transactions tied to NNPCL’s operations, with ₦34.65 billion being just the tip of the iceberg.

Cronyism and Abuse of Power: Ojulari has filled key NNPCL positions with unqualified loyalists, sidelining competent professionals and prioritizing personal gain over national interest. This cronyism has crippled NNPCL’s efficiency and deepened public distrust, particularly among oil workers.

Obstruction of Justice: Credible reports suggest Ojulari has actively interfered with EFCC investigations to shield his allies, delaying justice and allowing corrupt practices to flourish. Such actions are an affront to the rule of law and demand his immediate arrest.

Our Demands: We call on the EFCC to immediately arrest and prosecute Bayo Ojulari for his alleged role in the ₦34.65 billion scandal and other corrupt practices. The evidence provided by Haske’s confession is sufficient to warrant his detention and a thorough investigation into his financial dealings, including the source of the $21 million and his involvement in NNPCL’s questionable contracts. We also demand that President Tinubu sack Ojulari from his position as NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption and restore public confidence in his administration.
The magnitude of this scandal—₦34.65 billion stolen from the Nigerian people—cannot be overstated.

This is money that could have built hospitals, schools, or roads, or ensured fair wages and safety for oil workers, yet it was allegedly funneled into private hands under Ojulari’s watch. Justice must be swift, transparent, and uncompromising.

Call to Action: Three Days of Protest
To press home our demands, we announce a three-day peaceful protest starting tomorrow, August 1, 2025, at the National Assembly, NNPCL Headquarters, and the EFCC office in Abuja. These protests, led by Oil Watch Nigeria and Workers’ Rights Alliance, will send a clear message to the authorities: Nigerians, especially those in the oil sector and workers across the nation, will not tolerate corruption on this scale. We will march until Bayo Ojulari is arrested, prosecuted, and removed from office.

A Message to President Tinubu
Mr. President, your administration promised renewed hope for Nigerians. Allowing Bayo Ojulari to evade justice undermines that promise and risks further economic sabotage and public unrest. We urge you to act decisively by supporting the EFCC’s efforts to arrest and prosecute Ojulari and by removing him from NNPCL immediately. Your legacy depends on your commitment to rooting out corruption, starting with this case.

Conclusion
The fight for a corrupt-free Nigeria, where our oil wealth benefits all and workers’ rights are protected, is a collective responsibility. We call on all Nigerians—youth, women, oil workers, and patriots—to join OilWatch Nigeria and Workers’ Rights Alliance in these protests and demand justice. Together, we can hold our leaders accountable and build a nation where integrity and fairness prevail. We thank the press for amplifying our voice and the Nigerian people for standing with us. Bayo Ojulari must be arrested, prosecuted, and sacked, and we will not rest until justice is served for the ₦34.65 billion scandal and beyond.

Share on Facebook

News

Imo Auto Parts Dealer Runs Abroad to Escape Bandit Attacks

Published

24 mins ago

November 3, 2025

The Gleamer

An automobile parts dealer, Mr Ifeanyi Kingsley Iwuagwu, has fled Nigeria to save his life after a series of deadly attacks by bandits on his community in Imo State.

Iwuagwu, who left the country in January this year, said he was forced to seek refuge abroad following repeated violent raids that claimed several lives and left properties in ruins.

The young entrepreneur, a native of the Okigwe axis of Imo State, recounted how relentless assaults by armed men transformed his once peaceful village into a war zone. “I had no choice but to leave,” he told AljazirahNigeria Newspapers. “It became a matter of life and death. Remaining there would have meant waiting for the next attack.”

As the only son of an aged mother who depends entirely on him for her welfare, Iwuagwu said leaving her behind was the most agonising decision he has ever made. His mother now lives in constant fear and uncertainty.

“It breaks my heart to be far from her,” he lamented. “But I had to leave to stay alive, with the hope of bringing her to safety one day.”

In recent years, many residents of rural communities in Imo State have faced escalating threats from bandits and criminal gangs, forcing some to abandon their homes and even seek refuge overseas.

For Iwuagwu, the decisive moment came on 20 November 2024, when his shop in Amiagbo, Nwangele Local Government Area, was looted and set ablaze. “That was the day I finally decided to follow the path of some of my colleagues who had already fled abroad,” he explained. “There is no safe place in Nigeria anymore. We keep hearing reports of kidnappings, banditry, herdsmen invasions, and terrorist attacks across all six geopolitical zones—no one knows where will be next.”

Security experts and community leaders have continued to urge the government to provide greater protection for defenceless communities and address the root causes of insecurity in the South East.

For Iwuagwu, survival remains his foremost concern. “All I want is peace and the chance to live without fear,” he said. “No one should have to abandon their home just to stay alive.”

The South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria has in recent years become a flashpoint of violence, with numerous deaths and widespread destruction of businesses and property. Many residents have fled their ancestral lands in search of both safety and livelihoods.

According to Amnesty International, approximately 1,844 people were killed in the South East by both state and non-state actors between January 2021 and June 2023.

The organisation’s Director, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this during the presentation of a report and campaign launch against insecurity in the region, titled “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South East”, held on 7 October.

Many Nigerians are now placing renewed hope in the recently appointed service chiefs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praying that their tenure will bring lasting peace and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.

Share on Facebook