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The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari. The directive came after Kyari failed to appear before the committee to respond to questions on allegations of N210 trillion in unaccounted funds reportedly traced to the national oil company during his tenure.
The committee is investigating discrepancies and unreconciled financial entries in NNPCL’s accounts between 2021 and 2024. Lawmakers say the N210 trillion figure emerged from audit queries raised by the Auditor-General’s office, covering issues like unremitted revenue, crude oil losses, and unclear subsidy payments. The committee describes the amount as “unaccounted for,” not “stolen,” pending detailed forensic review.
The committee is investigating discrepancies and unreconciled financial entries in NNPCL’s accounts between 2021 and 2024. Lawmakers say the N210 trillion figure emerged from audit queries raised by the Auditor-General’s office, covering issues like unremitted revenue, crude oil losses, and unclear subsidy payments. The committee describes the amount as “unaccounted for,” not “stolen,” pending detailed forensic review.
Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Aliyu, said Mele Kyari was duly invited but did not appear, nor did he send a representative with authority to speak on the matter. The panel described the absence as contempt of the National Assembly and voted to issue a warrant of arrest to compel his attendance at the next hearing.
Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Aliyu, said Mele Kyari was duly invited but did not appear, nor did he send a representative with authority to speak on the matter. The panel described the absence as contempt of the National Assembly and voted to issue a warrant of arrest to compel his attendance at the next hearing.
NNPCL, now under new leadership, has previously stated it operates as a limited liability company and is subject to the Companies and Allied Matters Act. In earlier responses to lawmakers, the company said it is cooperating with auditors and that many of the “unaccounted” figures relate to reconciliations between NNPCL, the Federation Account, and other government agencies, not missing cash.
Mele Kyari led NNPCL from 2019 until his exit in 2024 when the company transitioned to a full commercial entity. He has publicly defended NNPCL’s operations, citing reforms like the Petroleum Industry Act, crude-for-product swaps, and efforts to cut crude theft. He has not issued a public statement on Wednesday’s arrest order as of press time.
The arrest warrant empowers security agencies to bring Kyari before the Senate committee to answer questions under oath. Legal analysts note that such orders are procedural tools used by legislative committees to enforce attendance, not a declaration of guilt. The committee says its goal is transparency and accountability in how public oil revenues are managed, with all parties given a chance to explain discrepancies.
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