Senate orders arrest of former NNPCL boss Mele Kyari over public accounts probe
By Wilson Nnanna Orji
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, after he failed to appear before the panel investigating audit queries relating to the company's financial records between 2017 and 2023.
The committee issued the directive following Kyari's repeated absence from its investigative sessions, which are examining observations raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL's financial transactions during the period under review.
During the hearing, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Isa, rejected claims that ₦210 trillion was unaccounted for, describing the figure as misleading and inconsistent with the company's audited financial records.
Before the committee reached its decision, Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) appealed for another opportunity to be given to Kyari, citing reports that he was receiving medical treatment in Germany.
However, several committee members opposed the request, insisting that the investigation should not be delayed further without documented evidence explaining his absence.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) argued that verbal explanations were insufficient and should be supported by official documentation. Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) subsequently moved a motion for Kyari's arrest, maintaining that the committee must enforce its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
Seconding the motion, the committee's Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North), noted that the panel had already held nine meetings on the 19 audit queries raised against the NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General.
According to Nwaebonyi, the committee must conclude its assignment and submit its report to the Senate without further delays.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) also supported the motion, arguing that the Senate's authority would be weakened if its summonses were ignored without consequences. He stressed that the rule of law should apply equally to every citizen.
Following a voice vote, Committee Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North) directed security agencies to ensure that Kyari is brought before the committee to answer questions relating to the audit queries.
A major issue before the committee is the allegation that ₦210 trillion could not be properly accounted for in NNPCL's financial records during the period under review.
Responding to the allegation, Umar Isa insisted that the claim was mathematically impossible based on the company's published accounts.
He explained that NNPCL generated approximately ₦54.5 trillion in total revenue within the period in question, even before deducting production costs, making it impossible for ₦210 trillion to be missing or unaccounted for.
Isa further dismissed reports that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPC Limited, describing the allegation as inaccurate and capable of damaging both the company's reputation and Nigeria's international standing.
He warned that inaccurate public claims could negatively influence international credit rating agencies and investor confidence, citing previous experiences where allegations affected efforts to secure foreign financing for strategic national infrastructure projects.
According to him, allegations involving missing public funds should be thoroughly investigated by relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to establish the facts and maintain public confidence.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee directed Isa and the former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to reappear before it within two weeks as investigations into the audit queries continue.
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