Photo : Mele Kyari
By: Mandy Park
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, following his repeated failure to appear before lawmakers investigating alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over N210 trillion.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, is probing audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF) concerning the operations and financial records of the national oil company between 2017 and 2023.
Lawmakers expressed frustration over Kyari’s absence despite several invitations extended to him to appear before the committee and provide explanations regarding the audit observations.
The motion for his arrest was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Presenting the motion, Umeh argued that the committee could no longer tolerate delays in an investigation involving one of the largest financial accountability exercises currently before the National Assembly.
“This matter has lingered for too long. Nigerians deserve answers. The committee cannot continue to wait indefinitely while critical questions concerning trillions of naira remain unanswered,” he said.
Ruling on the motion, Dankwambo directed security agencies to ensure Kyari’s appearance before the committee.
“For Mele Kyari, I agree with the motion. Wherever he is, he should be brought before this committee to answer the questions before us,” the chairman stated.
The session became heated when Senator Tony Nwoye informed the committee that Kyari was reportedly receiving medical treatment in Germany.
Nwoye said he had spoken with the former NNPCL chief about a week earlier and that Kyari had assured him he would attend the hearing.
“I spoke to Mele Kyari about a week ago. He promised he would be here. However, I learnt last night that he is currently hospitalised in Germany,” Nwoye told the committee.
His intervention triggered a sharp exchange with Nwebonyi, who questioned the relevance of the explanation and accused him of appearing to defend the former NNPCL boss.
Nwoye, however, maintained that he was merely providing information available to him and was not acting on Kyari’s behalf.
The debate intensified when Senator Adams Oshiomhole backed the call for enforcement of the Senate’s summons, arguing that the legislature must assert its constitutional authority.
According to Oshiomhole, public officials must be held accountable, particularly in matters involving huge sums of public funds.
“These are allegations involving trillions of naira at a time Nigerians are facing economic hardship and the country continues to borrow. The former GCEO must personally account for his stewardship. He cannot delegate that responsibility to anyone else,” he said.
Nwebonyi also insisted that the committee had exhausted all avenues to secure Kyari’s voluntary appearance.
“This is the ninth sitting of the committee on this matter. Continued waiting will only amount to a wild goose chase. The committee must exercise its statutory powers,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the current Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, was excused from the proceedings.
He was represented at the hearing by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun.
The investigation forms part of the Senate’s ongoing oversight responsibilities aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
The committee is expected to continue its examination of audit queries relating to the state-owned energy company and may seek the assistance of relevant security agencies to enforce its directive.
The allegations under review stem from audit reports submitted by the Auditor-General’s office, with lawmakers seeking explanations over financial transactions, liabilities and other accounting issues recorded during the period under investigation.
However, no court has established criminal liability against Kyari regarding the matters currently being examined by the Senate committee.
