Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has finally appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to respond to questions surrounding alleged financial irregularities involving the state-owned oil company.
Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly on Tuesday, accompanied by a team of oil industry officials, following months of pressure from lawmakers who had threatened to invoke their constitutional powers to compel his appearance.
The Senate investigation centres on alleged financial discrepancies and outstanding audit queries involving NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023, with the disputed figures reportedly exceeding ₦210 trillion.
The probe was initiated after the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation forwarded several audit queries to the committee, prompting lawmakers to demand explanations from Kyari and other former officials of the company.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North Senatorial District, had previously threatened to take further steps to secure Kyari’s appearance following his alleged failure to honour several invitations.
The development followed a motion raised by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, as lawmakers expressed concerns over what they described as repeated attempts to frustrate or delay the investigation.
The development followed a motion raised by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, as lawmakers expressed concerns over what they described as repeated attempts to frustrate or delay the investigation.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole had also called for Kyari’s arrest, insisting that the former NNPCL boss must personally account for the alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure.
The former Edo State governor argued that sending representatives to appear before the committee would not be sufficient, stressing that Kyari should provide direct explanations about the management of the company’s finances under his leadership.
However, the Senate subsequently clarified that its committees could not independently issue or enforce arrest warrants without complying with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the express approval of the Senate President.
The upper legislative chamber also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”, explaining that the remark did not represent the official position of the Senate.
Kyari’s appearance is expected to provide the committee with an opportunity to seek clarification on the outstanding audit queries and financial discrepancies under investigation.
