NIGERIA’S Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a firm directive to the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to account for a staggering N210 trillion flagged in audit reports spanning 2017 to 2023.
The committee has summoned the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, alongside former GCEO Mele Kyari, mandating their appearance on April 29.
Other individuals expected at the hearing include former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajia, Bala Wunti, and the company’s external auditors.
This decision followed a motion introduced by Osita Izunaso and supported by Adams Oshiomhole during a session in Abuja.
Committee Chairman Aliyu Wadada expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided so far, emphasizing that the figures must be clearly justified.
According to him, the responses to 19 audit queries lacked sufficient detail and transparency.
He questioned the N103 trillion the company classified broadly as liabilities, insisting that each component such as legal, retention, and audit fees must be broken down and properly explained.
He also called for clarity on the remaining N107 trillion, which NNPCL attributed to joint venture cash calls and funds allegedly owed by unnamed defunct banks.
Wadada stressed that Nigerians deserve precise and credible explanations, giving the company a final two-week window to respond fully. Failure to comply by the April 29 deadline, he warned, would not be tolerated.
