Kyari Faces Senate Probe Over ₦210 Trillion NNPCL Discrepancies

Former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari has appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to answer questions over alleged financial discrepancies involving more than ₦210 trillion in the company’s accounts between 2017 and 2023.

Kyari appeared before the committee on Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, accompanied by a delegation of oil company officials.

The appearance followed a prolonged investigation into unresolved audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, which lawmakers had repeatedly asked the former NNPCL chief and other officials to address.

The committee, chaired by Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo, had earlier threatened to invoke its constitutional powers to compel Kyari’s appearance after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations.

The move followed a motion by Sen. Victor Umeh amid concerns among lawmakers that the investigation was being frustrated.

During an earlier sitting, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole called for Kyari’s arrest, insisting that he should personally account for the company’s financial records rather than send representatives.

Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor, had also accused the former NNPCL leadership of failing to explain the alleged financial irregularities.

However, the Senate clarified that its committees cannot independently issue or execute arrest warrants without complying with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the Senate president’s express approval.

The Senate also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” saying the remarks did not represent the position of the Red Chamber.

Kyari’s appearance is expected to provide the committee with an opportunity to seek explanations on the outstanding audit queries and the management of the company’s finances during his tenure.

The alleged discrepancies remain subject to the Senate’s investigation, and no finding of wrongdoing against Kyari is established by the allegations alone.