The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, for failing to appear before it over allegations of an unaccounted ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
The decision followed Kyari’s absence at the committee’s investigative hearing into the alleged financial discrepancies.
During the session, some lawmakers appealed to the committee chairman, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North), to grant Kyari another opportunity to appear, citing reports that he was receiving medical treatment in Germany.
The appeal, however, faced stiff opposition from other committee members, who insisted that a warrant of arrest be issued against the former NNPCL chief.
Leading the opposition, Senator Abdul Ningi argued that verbal explanations for Kyari’s absence were insufficient and should be supported by documented medical evidence. Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) subsequently moved a motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest.
Seconding the motion, the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North), said granting Kyari another opportunity to appear voluntarily would amount to a wild goose chase.
“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 queries raised against NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. I personally chaired three of these sessions.
“Mr Chairman, the time to issue a warrant of arrest against Mele Kyari is now because the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate,” he said.
Following a voice vote, the committee overwhelmingly adopted the motion.
