The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has directed the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his repeated failure to appear before lawmakers investigating alleged financial infractions running into ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
The committee issued the directive during Wednesday’s investigative hearing into 19 audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation against the national oil company.
Lawmakers said Kyari had been invited on multiple occasions but failed to honour the summons, prompting frustration within the panel.
The session, however, took a different turn when former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, Umar Ajiya Isa, dismissed claims that ₦210 trillion was missing from the company’s accounts. He argued that the figure being cited was far above the company’s total revenue within the period under review, making the allegation mathematically impossible.
Isa maintained that NNPCL’s audited financial statements were transparent and could be independently verified, adding that the publication of audited accounts marked a shift toward accountability after years of delayed or unavailable reports.
During deliberations, some senators appealed for restraint, noting that Kyari was reportedly receiving medical treatment in Germany and should be given additional time to appear. However, others rejected the request, insisting that no formal medical documentation had been presented to justify his absence.
Senator Victor Umeh subsequently moved a motion for a warrant of arrest, which was supported by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi. Following a voice vote, Committee Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo ruled that security agencies should ensure Kyari’s appearance before the panel.
Meanwhile, Isa also dismissed other allegations, including claims of ₦5.8 billion spent on NNPCL registration, urging investigators to verify the figures with relevant regulatory bodies. He warned that unverified financial claims could damage investor confidence and Nigeria’s international reputation.
The committee has since directed Isa and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to return for further questioning as the investigation continues.
