Senate Calls For Arrest Of Mele Kyari Over Alleged ₦210 Trillion NNPCL Funds

The committee, which is reviewing audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, issued the directive after Kyari failed to honour repeated invitations to defend issues raised in the financial records under investigation.

His absence reportedly sparked intense deliberations among lawmakers, with some senators pushing for a further extension of invitation, while others insisted that the committee could no longer delay its proceedings. Appeals from some members suggesting that the former NNPCL boss was undergoing medical treatment abroad were dismissed by others who demanded verifiable evidence to support the claim.

During the session, Senator Abdul Ningi argued that verbal explanations were insufficient, while Senator Victor Umeh moved a motion for a warrant of arrest. The motion was seconded by the committee’s deputy chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, who insisted that further delays would undermine the committee’s work and described additional waiting as unproductive.

After a voice vote, the committee chairman declared that Kyari should be arrested and produced before the panel to answer to the audit queries.

Meanwhile, a former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, Umar Ajiya Isa, rejected claims that ₦210 trillion was missing or unaccounted for, describing the figure as unrealistic and inconsistent with the company’s total revenue during the period under review. He explained that the NNPCL generated about ₦54.5 trillion between 2017 and 2023, stressing that it would be impossible for the alleged amount to be unaccounted for.

He also dismissed allegations regarding ₦5.8 billion said to have been used for the registration of NNPCL Limited, urging verification from relevant agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Nigeria Revenue Service.

Ajiya further warned that unverified financial allegations could damage Nigeria’s credibility, affect investor confidence, and negatively impact the country’s standing with international financial institutions. He cited past disruptions to major national projects as examples of how unfounded petitions could affect funding and execution.

The committee subsequently directed Ajiya and another former NNPCL executive, Bala Wunti, to reappear before it within two weeks to continue clarifying issues raised in the ongoing investigation.