No More Excuses, Must Appear Before Public Accounts Panel — Senate Warns NNPC GMD
By Fatima Saka
Abuja — Senate on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), insisting that the executive must personally appear before the committee to address ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities in the corporation.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West) declared that the committee would no longer accept excuses for the GMD’s absence, even if he was outside the country, stressing that his position as the head of the NNPCL demands accountability before the National Assembly.
“The executive of NNPCL should and must appear before this committee. Wherever he is, whether within or outside the country, his being there is only because he is the chief executive of NNPCL. To be out of the country will no longer be accepted as an excuse,” Wadada stated firmly.
The lawmaker condemned what he described as a growing culture of impunity among certain officials within the NNPCL, who he said behave “as if they are bigger than the country.” He emphasized that the Senate Committee derives its authority from the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and has the constitutional power to summon — and if necessary, arrest, any official who refuses to appear.
“The Nigerian Constitution gives this committee the power even to arrest the GMD of NNPCL, and we have the will to exercise those powers. People must know they are not above the law,” he added.
In a heated session that drew contributions from other senators, members expressed concern over alleged “monumental fraud” in the company’s subsidy claims, with accusations that NNPCL charged subsidies both on crude oil and refined products.
One member remarked that the magnitude of the alleged fraud “is far more than what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently struggling to borrow from foreign countries,” adding that if the funds were properly managed, Nigeria would not need to resort to foreign loans.
Senator Wadada reiterated that the committee’s oversight function was not a witch-hunt but a constitutional duty aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of national resources.
“This committee is not EFCC, not ICPC, not the police. We operate openly in line with the Constitution. Anyone summoned must appear and make their case. We are not driven by sentiment but by law and duty,” he clarified.
Wadada further pledged the committee’s full support for the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in ensuring that public funds are used judiciously to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“This is a dynamic and pragmatic administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We must all be on deck to support it. To do that, issues like these must be brought to closure so NNPCL can make the needed reforms to support government revenue and development,” he added.
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