The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, following his repeated failure to appear before lawmakers investigating alleged financial discrepancies amounting to ₦210 trillion.
The directive was issued during a committee session chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, as lawmakers intensified scrutiny of audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023.
Some senators, including Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye, appealed for another opportunity to be given to Kyari, citing reports that the former NNPCL boss was receiving medical treatment in Germany.
However, other members of the committee rejected the plea, insisting that no further delay should be tolerated without documentary evidence supporting his absence.
Senator Victor Umeh moved a motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest, which was seconded by Deputy Committee Chairman Peter Nwaebonyi.
Former Edo State governor and senator, Adams Oshiomhole, also backed the move, warning that failure to enforce the Senate’s summons would weaken the authority of the legislature.
Following a voice vote, the committee unanimously directed that Kyari be arrested and brought before the panel to answer questions relating to the alleged discrepancies.
Meanwhile, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya Isa, dismissed claims that ₦210 trillion was missing, describing the figure as misleading and mathematically inconsistent with the corporation’s revenues during the period under review.
He maintained that the company’s audited accounts had been publicly released and insisted that no funds were unaccounted for.
The committee has vowed to continue its investigation and directed other former NNPCL officials to reappear before it for further questioning as efforts to establish the facts behind the audit queries continue.
