The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has directed the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, after he failed to honour invitations to appear before it over allegations involving N210 trillion said to be unaccounted for between 2017 and 2023.
The decision followed Kyari’s repeated absence from an ongoing probe into financial queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL’s records within the period under review.
During the hearing, former Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, Umar Isa, dismissed the allegations, insisting that no funds were missing and describing the N210 trillion claim as misleading when compared with the company’s actual financial operations.
After deliberations, lawmakers resolved to proceed with enforcement measures, including the issuance of a warrant for Kyari’s arrest.
Some senators, including Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye, appealed for restraint, urging the committee to grant Kyari another opportunity to appear, noting reports that he was receiving medical attention in Germany.
However, their request was rejected by other members who insisted that the investigation could no longer be delayed. Senator Abdul Ningi argued that claims of illness must be supported with verifiable documentation, while Senator Victor Umeh moved the motion for Kyari’s arrest.
Seconding the motion, Deputy Chairman of the committee, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, said the committee had been left with no choice due to repeated delays.
“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 queries raised against NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, three of which were chaired by me.
“Mr Chairman, 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.”
Senator Adams Oshiomhole also backed the decision, warning that failure to enforce compliance would weaken the authority of the legislature.
“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,” he said. :::
