A coalition of OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and Concerned Citizens Watch staged a powerful rally outside the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
The groups accused Ojulari of orchestrating a staggering ₦34.65 billion ($21 million) corruption scandal, plunging Nigeria into a crisis of trust and threatening President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The rally, attended by hundreds of Nigerians, including oil workers, activists, and concerned citizens, was sparked by the recent detention of Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a close associate of Ojulari. Haske confessed to the EFCC that the $21 million found in his account—equivalent to ₦34.65 billion at the current exchange rate—belongs to Ojulari.
“This is money that could have transformed our hospitals, schools, and roads,” said Emmanuel Ekpeyong of OilWatch Nigeria, addressing the press. “Instead, it was allegedly hidden by one man’s greed. We demand justice now!”
The coalition outlined a litany of allegations against Ojulari, including living an extravagant lifestyle in the Presidential Suite of the Wells Carlton Hotel, orchestrating shell companies for contract fraud, and appointing unqualified loyalists to key NNPCL positions.
“Ojulari’s actions are a betrayal of every Nigerian struggling to survive,” said Danladi Usman of Workers’ Rights Alliance. “His cronyism has crippled NNPCL and eroded trust in our oil sector.”
Further accusations include Ojulari’s alleged interference with EFCC investigations to shield allies, a move Babatunde Anifowoshe of Concerned Citizens Watch called “an affront to the rule of law.”
Anifowoshe added, “Allowing Ojulari to walk free undermines President Tinubu’s promise of renewed hope. The EFCC must act, and the President must sack him immediately.”
The coalition’s demands were clear: the EFCC must arrest and prosecute Ojulari for his alleged role in the ₦34.65 billion scandal and other corrupt practices, and President Tinubu must remove him from NNPCL. “This scandal is just the tip of the iceberg,” Ekpeyong warned.
“A thorough investigation into Ojulari’s dealings is critical to uncovering the full extent of this corruption.” He said
To amplify their call, the coalition announced a three-day peaceful protest starting August 1, 2025, targeting the National Assembly, NNPCL Headquarters, and the EFCC office in Abuja.
“We will march until justice is served,” Usman declared, urging Nigerians—youth, women, and workers—to join the movement. “This is a fight for our nation’s soul, for a Nigeria where oil wealth benefits all, not just a few.” He said.
The rally has put significant pressure on the EFCC and the Tinubu led administration, with the coalition warning that inaction risks further economic sabotage and public unrest. As Anifowoshe put it, “The Nigerian people deserve transparency and accountability. We will not rest until Bayo Ojulari is held accountable for this ₦34.65 billion scandal.”
The EFCC has yet to comment on the coalition’s demands, but the rallying cry has resonated across Abuja, signaling a growing public demand for justice in one of Nigeria’s most high-profile corruption cases.