The Senate committee on public accounts has directed the arrest of Mele Kyari, former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), after he repeatedly failed to appear before an ongoing investigation into the company’s finances.
Lawmakers are examining audit reports covering 2017 to 2023, which allegedly show unresolved financial entries and discrepancies amounting to over N210 trillion. The queries were submitted to the committee by the office of the auditor-general for the federation.
The committee, led by Ibrahim Dankwambo, senator representing Gombe north, decided to activate its constitutional powers to secure Kyari’s appearance after several unsuccessful invitations.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, who said the committee could no longer tolerate delays in such a sensitive investigation involving massive public funds.
The motion was seconded by Onyekachi Nwebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi north, who insisted the matter required urgent attention.
During the session, Dankwambo excused Bayo Ojulari, the current NNPCL GCEO, who was represented by Dapo Segun, the company’s chief financial officer.
In his ruling, Dankwambo said, “For Mele, I agree with you. We hereby rule that anywhere Mele Kyari is, the former group GCEO, should be arrested and brought before the committee immediately.”
The situation escalated further when Tony Nwoye, senator representing Anambra north, said he had recently spoken with Kyari and was informed that the former NNPCL boss was hospitalised in Germany.
His submission was interrupted with a point of order from Nwebonyi, who said, “You are not Kyari’s lawyer!”
Nwoye clarified that he was not speaking for Kyari but only relaying information.
Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, supported the arrest motion, insisting the committee must assert its authority.
“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.
He added that parliament must not allow repeated disregard of its summons, warning that failure to act would weaken its authority.
Oshiomhole further declared, “Bring Mele Kyari here, dead or alive. Even if he is dead, we want to see the body, and he will account.”
He maintained that the allegations involve trillions of naira and must be properly accounted for.
The committee later voted overwhelmingly in support of issuing a warrant of arrest.
During the hearing, Umar Ajiya, former chief financial officer of the NNPCL, also appeared before the committee and rejected claims of missing funds.
“There is no money missing. The report is inaccurate,” he said, explaining that the figures in dispute were due to accounting interpretations within the organisation.
He also disputed claims of N5.8 billion used for registering the new NNPCL, insisting, “The money used to register NNPC is N2.9 billion, not N5.8 billion, paid to CAC and NRS.”
However, his submission triggered a heated exchange with Oshiomhole, who accused officials of misconduct, causing tension in the chamber before the chairman restored order.
The committee has since continued its investigation into the audit reports and related financial queries.