Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on Tuesday appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to answer questions over alleged financial discrepancies exceeding N210 trillion in the company’s accounts between 2017 and 2023.
Kyari’s appearance came months after lawmakers threatened to invoke their constitutional powers to compel him to appear before the committee following his alleged failure to honour several invitations.
The former NNPCL chief executive arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly alongside a delegation of oil company officials as the Senate intensified its investigation into unresolved audit queries raised against the state-owned oil firm.
The investigation followed audit observations forwarded to the committee by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, covering the company’s financial records between 2017 and 2023.
The alleged discrepancies, reportedly involving more than N210 trillion, have raised questions about the management and accountability of public funds under the company’s former leadership.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had earlier resolved to invoke its constitutional powers to compel Kyari’s appearance after expressing frustration over his alleged failure to respond to repeated invitations.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, amid concerns among lawmakers that the former NNPCL boss was frustrating efforts to establish accountability over the audit queries.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole had also called for the immediate issuance of a warrant of arrest against Kyari, insisting that he must personally appear before the committee to explain the company’s financial records rather than send representatives.
The former Edo State governor argued that Kyari, having headed the national oil company during the period under investigation, should personally account for his stewardship and provide explanations for the alleged financial irregularities.
However, the Senate subsequently clarified that no committee of the National Assembly could independently issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest without complying with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining 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”, stressing that the comments did not represent the official position of the Red Chamber.
Kyari’s appearance now provides the committee an opportunity to seek direct explanations over the outstanding audit queries.
