Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, on Tuesday appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to respond to questions surrounding alleged financial discrepancies in the company’s accounts.
Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly alongside a delegation of oil industry officials, months after lawmakers threatened to invoke their constitutional powers to compel his attendance.
His appearance is connected to an ongoing Senate investigation into alleged financial irregularities and outstanding audit queries in NNPCL’s accounts covering the period between 2017 and 2023, involving more than ₦210tn.
The audit observations were forwarded to the committee by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, prompting lawmakers to seek explanations from Kyari and other officials of the national oil company.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had earlier resolved to consider compelling the former NNPCL chief to appear following his alleged failure to honour several invitations.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, amid growing dissatisfaction among members over what they described as repeated efforts to frustrate the investigation.
READ ALSO: Reps Reject Money Laundering Allegations Against NNPCL Executive
Senator Adams Oshiomhole had also called for stronger action against Kyari, insisting that he should personally account for his stewardship of the national oil company.
The former Edo State governor urged the committee to issue an arrest warrant against Kyari, arguing that allowing him to send representatives would undermine the investigation.
However, the Senate clarified that no committee could independently issue or execute an arrest warrant without complying with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the express approval of the Senate President.
The upper chamber also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as ‘a bunch of criminals and thieves’, stating that the remark did not represent the official position of the Senate.
Kyari’s appearance before the committee is expected to provide lawmakers an opportunity to seek clarification on the outstanding audit queries and the alleged financial discrepancies recorded during his tenure.