Abuja, Nigeria — The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his failure to appear before the panel investigating an alleged ₦210 trillion financial discrepancy.
The directive was issued following Kyari’s absence at a crucial investigative hearing examining audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, covering the period between 2017 and 2023.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North), gave the order after a voice vote by committee members overwhelmingly supported a motion to compel Kyari’s appearance. Lawmakers insisted that the former NNPCL boss must be brought before the panel to respond to the allegations.
The decision came despite appeals from some senators who urged the committee to grant Kyari another opportunity to appear, citing reports that he is currently undergoing medical treatment in Germany. However, opposing lawmakers rejected the plea, demanding documented evidence to support the claim.
Leading the opposition, Senator Abdul Ningi maintained that verbal explanations were insufficient, while Senator Victor Umeh formally moved the motion for Kyari’s arrest. The motion was seconded by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, who stressed the need for the committee to conclude its long-running investigation.
“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 audit queries raised against NNPCL. The time to act is now,” Nwaebonyi said.
Meanwhile, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya Isa, dismissed the allegation of missing ₦210 trillion, describing it as mathematically impossible. He stated that the company generated approximately ₦54.5 trillion in revenue within the period under review, far below the figure in question.
Ajiya defended the company’s financial transparency, noting that audited accounts had been consistently published during their tenure, unlike previous decades.
He also refuted claims that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPCL, describing the allegation as false and potentially damaging to Nigeria’s international reputation.
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The committee has directed Ajiya and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to reappear before it in two weeks as the investigation continues.
The Senate’s move signals a firm stance on accountability in the oil sector, as lawmakers intensify scrutiny of the country’s most critical revenue-generating institution.
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