The former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday, several months after lawmakers threatened to force his appearance over alleged financial irregularities.
Kyari showed up at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly accompanied by a delegation of officials from the oil company.
His appearance occurred as the Senate continues investigating alleged financial discrepancies and unresolved audit queries in the NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023, reportedly involving more than N210 trillion.
Those audit queries, which the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation forwarded to the committee, had led lawmakers to demand explanations from the former NNPCL boss and other officials of the company.
Chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, who represents Gombe North, the committee had resolved to use its constitutional powers to compel Kyari to appear after he allegedly failed to honor several invitations.
That resolution came after a motion by Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, as lawmakers grew increasingly frustrated over what they called repeated attempts to frustrate the investigation.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole backed the committee’s stance, accusing the former NNPCL chief of failing to account for the alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure.
Oshiomhole had called on the panel to issue a warrant of arrest without delay, arguing that Kyari should appear in person to answer questions about the company’s financial records.
The former Edo State governor also rejected any move to let Kyari send representatives to the committee, insisting that he must personally account for his stewardship as the company’s former chief executive.
The Senate, however, stated that no Senate committee has the authority to issue, authorize, 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.
It also disassociated itself from Oshiomhole’s remarks describing the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” maintaining that the comments did not reflect the position of the Red Chamber.
