Aniefiok Christopher
Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday said the former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, must be brought alive or dead to answer for allegations of corruption and financial sleaze.
This was as the Senate Committee on Public Accounts issued a warrant of arrest to compel Kyari, to appear before it over unresolved audit queries involving N210 trillion contained in the company’s audited accounts between 2017 and 2023.
The Senator for Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly accused the former NNPCL chief of failing to account for the alleged mismanagement of trillions of naira during his tenure, insisting that the committee should not delay in exercising its constitutional powers.
Also read: Senate to probe NNPCL over N8.4trn withheld subsidy funds
According to him, the Senate committee must “have the courage” to issue a warrant of arrest immediately, stating that Kyari should be made to answer for his actions while in office.
“Mr. Chairman, this committee must have the courage and the will to deploy its powers as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and issue a warrant, not tomorrow but today, and bring Mele Kyari. Dead or alive, in law, even if he is dead, we want to see the body and say, ‘Here lies a man who died without accounting for his alleged crimes running into trillions of naira.
“At a time when the country is borrowing money, we have sources of revenue that have not been accounted for. There are serious issues raised not by laymen but by competent auditors, and the man is joking? Where did he get the money to pay his medical bills in Germany? Having failed repeatedly, we cannot condone this.
“Mele Kyari cannot be represented by another person. He is no longer the managing director, and it is his responsibility to account for his actions as MD. He cannot be represented in that capacity.
“I hold the view that your leadership must put an end to exceptions and excuses. I will invoke our powers to order the arrest of Mele Kyari and the managing director of NNPC, both past and present. They are guilty of the same offence: total disregard for the Nigerian Constitution and failure to account for the alleged gross abuse of our major source of revenue running into trillions of naira,’’ the Senator said.
Senate issues warrant of arrest
At last, the committee issued the warrant of arrest after Kyari failed to honour its invitation for the ninth consecutive time, despite being a central figure in the ongoing probe of issues raised in reports by the Auditor-General of the Federation covering the period under review.
Senator Victor Umeh urged the panel to issue a warrant against Kyari, arguing that repeated invitations had been ignored and that the committee could not continue to wait indefinitely.
A motion seeking the issuance of a warrant to compel Kyari’s appearance was subsequently moved by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who argued that the committee had exhausted all reasonable efforts to secure his attendance.
The motion received majority support from members and was adopted through a voice vote, paving the way for the issuance of the warrant.
During the proceedings, Senator Tony Nwoye appealed to the committee to exercise restraint, disclosing that he had spoken with Kyari about a week earlier and that the former NNPCL boss had assured him he would appear before the panel.
Nwoye further informed the committee that he had received information indicating that Kyari was currently receiving medical treatment in Germany.
His intervention triggered sharp reactions from some lawmakers, including Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, who maintained that Kyari’s repeated failure to appear showed disregard for the Senate and Nigerians.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, noted that the panel had given Kyari and other former NNPCL officials ample opportunity to appear and defend the figures contained in the audited accounts, stressing that the committee was carrying out its constitutional responsibility of ensuring accountability in the, management of public funds.
Despite Kyari’s absence, the committee proceeded with the hearing and took testimonies from two members of the immediate past management of NNPCL — former Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti.
Kyari Denies dodging investigation into NNPCL’s Account
However, Kyari, has described as “deeply shocking” the decision of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to issue an arrest warrant against him over an ongoing investigation into the company’s financial records.
Kyari, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, explained that he had previously informed the committee of his inability to appear before it due to medical treatment abroad.
“I refer to the news of the arrest warrant issued against me during the proceedings of your esteemed Committee today, June 10, 2026. I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant,” he stated.
The ex-NNPC boss said he had formally notified the committee in a letter dated May 11, 2026, that he was receiving medical treatment outside Nigeria.
According to him, he had also conveyed his willingness to honour the committee’s invitation upon his return and offered to respond to any urgent inquiries through his legal representatives.
“I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria,” he said. “I wish to reiterate that I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the Committee and to appear before it once I return to the country.”
The former NNPCL chief denied allegations that he deliberately ignored the Senate’s invitation, maintaining that he had not received any subsequent summons before the warrant was issued.
“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Had the invitation reached me, I would have gladly honoured it,” he stated.
Kyari explained that his current health condition makes it impossible for him to appear physically before the committee at this time. He urged lawmakers to direct any questions or requests for clarification through his legal team while he continues treatment abroad.
He assured the committee of his full cooperation with the investigation and pledged to appear in person once his health permits.
Defending his tenure at the national oil company, Kyari said his management team transformed the NNPCL from a loss-making organisation into a commercially viable and profitable entity. He added that all transactions undertaken during his administration were properly documented and remain available for scrutiny.
“I remain deeply grateful to my country for the opportunity afforded me to serve with utmost diligence and commitment,” he said.
