The Senate has distanced itself from reports that it ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over allegations of unaccounted funds running into trillions of naira.
The upper legislative chamber also clarified that comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, in which he reportedly described the NNPCL as a “house of thieves,” were personal opinions and not the official position of the Senate.
The clarification follows widespread reports that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had issued a warrant of arrest against Kyari after he failed to appear before the panel investigating alleged financial discrepancies amounting to ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
The committee had expressed frustration over Kyari’s absence during a hearing on Wednesday, with some members insisting that the former NNPCL boss should be compelled to appear before lawmakers.
During the session, several senators urged the committee to give Kyari another opportunity to honour the invitation, citing reports that he was undergoing medical treatment in Germany.
However, other members opposed the request.
Leading the argument for stronger action, Senator Abdul Ningi maintained that verbal claims regarding Kyari’s medical condition were insufficient without documentary evidence.
Senator Victor Umeh subsequently moved a motion calling for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the former NNPCL chief.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Chairman of the committee, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, argued that the panel could no longer afford further delays.
”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. 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.
The motion was eventually adopted by the committee through a voice vote.
Oshiomhole’s Remarks Stir Debate
The hearing also generated controversy after Senator Adams Oshiomhole reacted sharply to comments made by former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya Isa.
Ajiya had told the committee that some influential individuals had sought employment opportunities for their children within the state-owned oil company.
Responding, Oshiomhole accused the company of lacking credibility and suggested that some people sought positions in NNPCL because of alleged corruption within the organisation.
”I heard you saying that people want their children to be employed in NNPC. That is because it is a house of thieves and they want their children to benefit from it,” Oshiomhole said during the hearing.
The remarks quickly generated reactions on social media, with some Nigerians praising the senator’s outspokenness while others criticised the comments as excessive.
Former CFO Rejects ₦210 Trillion Allegation
Meanwhile, Umar Ajiya Isa strongly rejected claims that ₦210 trillion was unaccounted for during the period under review.
According to him, the figure was impossible because NNPCL’s total revenue between 2017 and 2023 was significantly lower than the amount being questioned.
”NNPC’s total revenue during the period under review was about ₦54.5 trillion, even before deducting production costs. It is therefore impossible for ₦210 trillion to be missing or unaccounted for,” he said.
Ajiya added that the company had published audited financial statements during the period, arguing that such transparency would not have been possible if funds had been misappropriated.
He also dismissed allegations that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPCL Limited, describing the claim as false and damaging to both the company and Nigeria’s international reputation.
”Unfounded claims cause significant damage. They affect the reputations of individuals, the company and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
The former CFO challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence to substantiate their claims.
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