N210tr NNPCL Audit Probe: Mele Kyari Appears Before Senate Committee

Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, months after lawmakers threatened to compel his appearance over alleged financial discrepancies in the company’s accounts.

Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, accompanied by a delegation of NNPCL officials.

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His appearance is connected to an ongoing Senate investigation into alleged financial discrepancies exceeding ₦210 trillion in the company’s accounts covering the 2017–2023 financial years.

The audit queries were reportedly forwarded to the committee by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, prompting lawmakers to demand explanations from Kyari and other officials of the national oil company.

Senate Threatened to Compel Kyari’s Appearance

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had earlier threatened to invoke its constitutional powers to compel Kyari to appear 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.

During previous proceedings, Senator Adams Oshiomhole accused the former NNPCL chief executive of failing to account for alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure.

Oshiomhole also urged the committee to issue an arrest warrant to ensure Kyari’s appearance, insisting that the former oil company boss must personally answer the lawmakers’ questions rather than send representatives.

Senate Clarifies Position on Arrest Warrants

However, the Senate subsequently clarified the legal procedure governing the issuance and execution of arrest warrants by its committees.

The upper chamber explained that Senate committees could only exercise such powers in strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and with 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 statement did not represent the official position of the upper chamber.

Investigation Continues Over NNPCL Accounts

Kyari’s appearance is expected to provide the committee with an opportunity to seek clarification on the outstanding audit queries relating to the company’s financial records during the period under investigation.

The alleged discrepancies, reportedly exceeding ₦210 trillion, have attracted significant public attention because of the NNPCL’s strategic role in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and national revenue generation.

The investigation forms part of the Senate’s oversight responsibility to examine public accounts, establish accountability and obtain explanations from officials responsible for the management of public resources.

Kyari’s appearance marks another development in the legislative probe, although the outcome of the committee’s investigation and the explanations provided by the former NNPCL chief executive remain to be established.