Senate Committee Issues Arrest Warrant for Former NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has taken decisive action by renewing a warrant for the arrest of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). This move comes amid his continued failure to respond to multiple requests to appear before Congress as part of an investigation into audit discrepancies involving approximately R210 trillion.
Investigation Into NNPCL’s Financial Operations
This directive was issued during the committee’s ongoing examination of 19 audit questions raised by the Federation’s Auditor General’s Office concerning the operations of NNPCL from 2017 to 2023. Lawmakers assert that Kyari, along with other past executives, must face the committee to clarify several contentious financial items, notably 103 trillion rupees linked to joint venture cash calls and 107 trillion rupees categorized as miscellaneous receivables on the company’s balance sheets.
Committee’s Frustration with Non-Compliance
Vice-chairman of the committee, Senator Peter Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North), emphasized the futility of issuing further invitations to Kyari, marking this as the ninth meeting concerning the audit-related inquiries. He highlighted the urgency of pursuing an arrest warrant, underlining the committee’s obligation to finalize its work and relay a report to the Senate.
Security Agencies Directed to Locate Kyari
Following the motion’s adoption, Senate President Abdul Ningi Dankwambo instructed security agencies to ensure Kyari’s appearance before the committee. He stated the necessity of locating Kyari, commanding that he should be apprehended and presented to the committee without delay.
Increasing Scrutiny of National Oil Companies
This latest order underscores heightened scrutiny of the finances and operations of national oil companies, particularly during the transitional phase from NNPC to NNPCL under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The committee is broadening its investigation to include the financial transactions related to the restructuring of the organization into a commercial entity.
Disputes Over Financial Accountability
In response to the allegations, former management members contest claims of financial discrepancies. NNPCL’s former Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, has disputed the assertion that R210 trillion was lost or mismanaged during the examined timeframe, labeling it a gross misrepresentation. Ajiya asserts that if such funds had gone missing under their administration, they wouldn’t have had the confidence to disclose their audited financial statements, which had remained unpublished for over four decades.
Legislative Inquiry Intensifies Amid Reforms
The renewed push from the Senate comes more than a year after Kyari was ousted during a major overhaul of the oil sector. In April 2025, President Bola Tinubu dissolved the NNPCL Board of Directors and appointed new leadership under Mr. Bayo Ojulari to enhance operational efficiency. Kyari’s leadership, which began in 2019 and spanned the tenures of both former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu, was marked by significant reforms within the petroleum sector. These included the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act and initiatives aimed at bolstering crude oil production and revamping Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.
