The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his repeated failure to appear before it in connection with allegations involving ₦210 trillion in unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023.
The directive followed what lawmakers described as persistent non-compliance with summonses linked to audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, as the committee continued its probe into the financial operations of the national oil company during the period under review.
However, the former Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, Umar Isa, who appeared before the committee, dismissed the allegations, insisting that no funds were missing. He argued that the ₦210 trillion figure being circulated was misleading and not consistent with the company’s actual revenue and financial statements within the timeframe.
Isa maintained that NNPCL’s total revenue over the period stood at about ₦54.5 trillion, adding that it would be “mathematically impossible” for ₦210 trillion to be unaccounted for. He also defended the company’s audited accounts, noting that they had been made available in a manner that was previously not the practice in the sector.
The arrest order was issued after lawmakers voted against further delays in the investigation, with several members insisting that the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate without additional obstruction.
During a tense session, Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) appealed for restraint, urging the committee to grant Kyari another opportunity to appear before it. They cited reports that the former NNPC boss was currently ill and receiving treatment in Germany.
Their appeal, however, was rejected by other members of the committee, who insisted that allowing further delays would weaken the integrity of the investigation.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) argued that claims of illness must be supported with proper medical documentation, a position later backed by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), who moved the motion for Kyari’s arrest.
The motion was seconded by the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North), who warned that continued delay could undermine the committee’s mandate. He noted that the panel was already on its ninth sitting reviewing 19 audit queries raised against NNPCL by the Auditor-General.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also weighed in, warning that the National Assembly risked weakening its authority if it failed to enforce compliance with its summons. According to him, accountability must apply uniformly, regardless of status or influence.
At the centre of the dispute is the controversial ₦210 trillion figure alleged to be unaccounted for in NNPCL’s financial records. While lawmakers rely on audit queries to demand clarification, former officials of the company insist the figure is a misinterpretation of financial data.
Umar Isa further rejected claims that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPCL Limited, describing the allegation as inaccurate and potentially damaging. He urged the committee to verify all disputed figures with relevant government agencies before drawing conclusions.
He also cautioned that unverified claims against national institutions could harm reputations and negatively affect Nigeria’s international credibility, noting that foreign rating agencies rely heavily on public financial reports in assessing countries.
Citing past experiences, Isa referenced a stalled $2.5 billion Chinese financing arrangement for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, alleging that misinformation and external petitions contributed to the disruption of the deal despite sovereign guarantees, leaving the project uncompleted.
The committee is expected to continue its investigation as pressure mounts on both the Senate and former NNPCL leadership to provide clarity on the disputed financial records.