Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts over alleged financial irregularities involving more than ₦210 trillion.
Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly on Tuesday alongside a delegation of oil company officials, months after lawmakers threatened to compel his appearance over unresolved audit queries.
The Senate investigation centres on alleged financial discrepancies in NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023, following audit queries forwarded to the committee by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, had earlier resolved to invoke its constitutional powers to compel Kyari’s appearance after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, amid concerns among lawmakers over what they described as attempts to frustrate the investigation.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole also called for Kyari’s arrest, insisting that the former NNPCL chief must personally account for the company’s financial records during his tenure rather than send representatives.
However, the Senate subsequently clarified that no committee could issue or execute an arrest warrant without complying with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the express approval of the Senate President.
The Red Chamber also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as a ‘bunch of criminals and thieves’, stating that the comments did not represent the position of the Senate.