The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a warrant of arrest against former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, after he failed to appear before the panel for the ninth consecutive time.
The committee had summoned current and former NNPCL leadership to respond to audit queries totalling N210 trillion, covering expenditures from 2017 to 2023 as flagged by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation. At Wednesday’s resumed hearing, Kyari’s continued absence drew sharp reactions from lawmakers.
Senator Victor Umeh, who moved the motion for the warrant, described the situation as a national emergency, saying the country could not afford to wait on Kyari’s convenience given the scale of funds involved. Senator Tony Nwoye, however, disclosed that Kyari had personally assured him he would appear, adding that he had since learnt the former NNPCL chief was hospitalised in Germany.
His colleague, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, dismissed the explanation, noting that Nwoye was not Kyari’s legal representative and had no standing to defend his absence. Nwaebonyi seconded the motion for arrest. Committee Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankambo affirmed the warrant following a unanimous voice vote by members.
