The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his failure to appear before lawmakers investigating allegations of N210 trillion in unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023.
The decision followed Kyari’s repeated absence from an investigative hearing examining queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning the company’s financial records during the period under review.
The committee’s action came despite appeals from some lawmakers who urged caution, citing reports that Kyari is currently ill and undergoing medical treatment in Germany.
Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) appealed for another opportunity to be granted to the former NNPCL boss. However, several committee members opposed any further delay, insisting that the investigation must continue and that a warrant should be issued for his arrest.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) argued that verbal explanations were insufficient without documentary evidence of illness. Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) subsequently moved a motion for Kyari’s arrest, which was seconded by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North).
Nwaebonyi noted that the committee had met nine times to address 19 audit queries raised against NNPCL and stressed the need to conclude its assignment.
“The time to issue a warrant of arrest against Mele Kyari is now because the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate,” he said.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also backed the move, warning that the Senate’s authority would be weakened if its summons were ignored.
“Some people believe they are bigger than Nigeria. The law must be effective when it catches the lion, not only when it catches the rabbit,” Oshiomhole stated.
Following a voice vote, Committee Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North) ruled that Kyari should be arrested and brought before the panel.
“Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee,” Dankwambo declared.
At the centre of the controversy is the allegation that N210 trillion cannot be properly accounted for in NNPCL’s books.
However, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Isa, strongly disputed the claim, describing the figure as misleading and inconsistent with the company’s actual financial records.
According to Isa, NNPCL generated approximately N54.5 trillion in total revenue during the period under review, making it mathematically impossible for N210 trillion to be missing.
“To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the courage to publish audited accounts,” he said.
Isa also rejected allegations that N5.8 billion was spent on registering NNPC Limited, describing the claim as inaccurate and harmful to both the company and Nigeria’s reputation.
He warned that unverified allegations could negatively affect Nigeria’s international image, credit ratings and investment prospects, citing previous disruptions to foreign financing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project.
“When people claim N210 trillion is missing, they should be asked: where exactly did it go? Agencies like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the EFCC should investigate and establish the facts so Nigerians can trust the truth,” Isa said.
The committee subsequently directed Isa and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to return within two weeks as the investigation into the audit queries continues.
