BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
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, over his failure to appear before lawmakers investigating alleged financial discrepancies amounting to N210 trillion in the company’s accounts between 2017 and 2023.
The directive was issued on Wednesday after Kyari failed, for the ninth time, to honour invitations by the committee probing audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL’s financial records during the period under review.
Although senators Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye appealed for another adjournment, citing reports that Kyari was receiving medical treatment in Germany, the committee rejected the request, insisting that no documentary evidence had been presented to support the claim.
Senator Abdul Ningi argued that verbal explanations were insufficient, while Victor Umeh formally moved a motion for Kyari’s arrest. The motion was seconded by the committee’s deputy chairman, Peter Nwaebonyi.
Nwaebonyi noted that the committee had convened nine times to examine 19 audit queries against NNPCL and stressed the need to conclude its assignment.
Former Edo State Governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also backed the move, warning that the Senate’s authority would be undermined if its summons continued to be ignored.
“Some people believe they are bigger than Nigeria. The law must be effective when it catches the lion, not only when it catches the rabbit,” Oshiomhole said.
Following a voice vote, Committee Chairman Ibrahim Dankwambo ruled that Kyari should be arrested and brought before the panel.
“Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee,” Dankwambo declared.
Former NNPCL CFO Rejects N210tn Allegation
The committee hearing also featured former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya Isa, who strongly disputed claims that N210 trillion was unaccounted for.
According to Isa, the figure was inconsistent with the company’s audited financial records, noting that NNPCL generated approximately N54.5 trillion in total revenue during the period under review.
“To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the courage to publish audited accounts,” he said.
Isa argued that the alleged amount exceeded the company’s total earnings and therefore could not be missing. He also dismissed reports that N5.8 billion was spent on registering NNPC Limited, describing the allegation as inaccurate and damaging.
The former CFO warned that unverified claims could harm Nigeria’s international reputation and credit standing, urging agencies such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to independently investigate the allegations and establish the facts.
The committee subsequently directed Isa and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to return within two weeks as the probe continues.
The investigation is expected to determine whether the audit queries reflect actual financial irregularities or accounting and reporting discrepancies within the state-owned oil company.
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