Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday to answer questions over alleged financial discrepancies involving more than N210 trillion in the company’s accounts.
Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly alongside a delegation of oil company officials, months after lawmakers threatened to compel his appearance over unresolved audit queries covering the period between 2017 and 2023.
The investigation followed audit queries forwarded to the committee by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, prompting lawmakers to demand explanations from Kyari and other NNPCL officials over the alleged financial irregularities.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had earlier resolved to invoke its constitutional powers to compel Kyari’s appearance after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations.
The decision followed a motion by Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central, amid concerns among lawmakers over what they described as repeated attempts to frustrate the investigation.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole had also called for an arrest warrant against the former NNPCL chief, insisting that Kyari must personally account for his stewardship rather than send representatives to answer questions on his behalf.
However, the Senate clarified that no committee could issue or execute an arrest warrant without complying with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the express approval of the Senate President.
The Red Chamber also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”, stressing that his remarks did not represent the official position of the Senate.
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