A large crowd of protesters under the banner of the Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria stormed the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja on Thursday, demanding that former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, be denied entry into the Kingdom over alleged corruption.
The protesters, numbering over 1,000 and comprising lawyers, doctors, engineers, artisans, and other professionals, called for an immediate visa ban and deportation of Kyari, whom they described as seeking refuge in Saudi Arabia to evade corruption investigations in Nigeria.
Led by the forum’s Convener, Barrister Sambari Benjamin, and Organizing Secretary, Comrade John Ndubuokwu, the group submitted a strongly worded petition to embassy officials. Addressing journalists outside the Saudi mission in Abuja’s Maitama district, Barr. Sambari warned that Kyari’s alleged attempt to flee the country was a calculated effort to escape accountability.
According to the group, both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have launched preliminary investigations into Kyari’s financial dealings during his tenure at NNPCL.
“In light of these developments,” Sambari said, “we are compelled to act, knowing that Mr. Kyari considers Saudi Arabia as a safe haven beyond the reach of Nigerian and international law. This must not be allowed to happen.”
The forum’s petition, addressed to the Saudi Ambassador, read in part: “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 defenders of Nigeria’s moral and economic integrity.
“We respectfully seek your intervention in preventing Mallam Mele Kyari from entering or seeking asylum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The group accused Kyari of orchestrating “clandestine moves” to flee Nigeria amid “mounting public outrage and compelling evidence of economic sabotage and institutional betrayal.”
“Saudi Arabia, as a respected leader in the Muslim world, must reaffirm its strong stance against corruption and economic crimes by distancing itself from figures like Mele Kyari,” the group emphasized.
