Mele Kyari Appears Before Senate Panel Over Alleged ₦210tn NNPCL Financial Irregularities

Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, on Tuesday appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, months after lawmakers threatened to compel his attendance over alleged financial irregularities.

 

Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly alongside a delegation of oil company officials.

 

His appearance comes amid an ongoing Senate investigation into alleged financial discrepancies and unresolved audit queries in the NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023, reportedly involving more than ₦210tn.

 

The audit queries, forwarded to the committee by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, prompted lawmakers to demand explanations from the former NNPCL boss and other officials of the company.

 

The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had resolved to invoke its constitutional powers to compel Kyari’s appearance following his alleged failure to honour several invitations.

 

The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, amid growing frustration among lawmakers over what they described as repeated attempts to frustrate the investigation.

 

The committee’s position was further reinforced by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who accused the former NNPCL chief of failing to account for alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure.

 

Oshiomhole had urged the panel to immediately issue a warrant of arrest, insisting that Kyari must personally appear to answer questions about the company’s financial records.

 

The former Edo State governor also rejected any attempt to allow Kyari to send representatives to the committee, arguing that he must personally account for his stewardship as the company’s former chief executive.

 

However, the Senate clarified that no committee has the authority to issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest except in strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and with the express approval of the Senate President.

 

The Senate also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”, insisting that the remarks did not represent the position of the Red Chamber.