Senate Orders Arrest of Ex-NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari Over Alleged #210 Trillion Unaccounted Funds
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday ordered the arrest of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his failure to appear before the panel investigating allegations of N210 trillion in unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023.
The directive followed Kyari’s repeated absence from an investigative hearing examining queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation concerning NNPCL’s financial records during the period under review.
The committee issued the arrest order after rejecting calls for further postponement of the hearing.
During the session, Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) appealed to the committee to grant Kyari another opportunity to appear, citing reports that he was receiving medical treatment in Germany.
However, several lawmakers opposed the request, insisting that the investigation should proceed without further delay and urging the committee to enforce its summons.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) argued that verbal explanations regarding Kyari’s health status were insufficient without documentary evidence, a position later supported by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), who moved the motion for his arrest.
Seconding the motion, the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North), said 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 for the Federation, three of which were chaired by me.
“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.
Also speaking, former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, warned that the Senate risked undermining its authority if it failed to compel compliance with its summons.
“Some people believe they are bigger than Nigeria. The law must be effective when it catches the lion, not only when it catches the rabbit,” Oshiomhole said.
Following a voice vote, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North), ruled that Kyari should be arrested and produced before the panel.
“Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee,” Dankwambo declared.
At the centre of the investigation is an alleged N210 trillion said to be unaccounted for in NNPCL’s books.
However, the company’s former Chief Financial Officer, Umar Isa, strongly disputed the allegation, insisting that no funds were missing and describing the figure as inconsistent with the company’s financial records.
“To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the courage to publish audited accounts. For over 40 years, those accounts were either not prepared, not made public, or not even shared with the Auditor-General,” Isa said.
He noted that NNPCL’s total revenue within the period under review stood at approximately N54.5 trillion, making claims of N210 trillion in missing funds implausible.
“N210 trillion is an enormous sum. NNPC’s total revenue in the period under review was about N54.5 trillion, even before deducting production costs. It is impossible for N210 trillion to be missing or unaccounted for,” he added.
Isa also dismissed allegations that N5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPC Limited, describing the claim as inaccurate and urging the committee to verify the figures with relevant government agencies.
“Unfounded claims do real damage. They harm the reputations of individuals, the company and Nigeria itself. International rating agencies use public information to assess countries. Negative and inaccurate reports can hurt Nigeria’s credit rating and national interests,” he said.
Recalling the impact of previous allegations on major projects, Isa cited the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project, which he said suffered setbacks after adverse reports affected efforts to secure about $2.5 billion in Chinese financing.
“We’ve seen this before. While seeking about $2.5 billion in Chinese financing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, an unpatriotic petition was submitted to Chinese authorities. Despite a sovereign guarantee, the financing was disrupted, and the project remains uncompleted.
“Actions like that discourage public servants. At times, it is frustrating. But as Nigerians, we remain committed to serving our country and contributing to its development,” he said.
He further challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence and called on relevant anti-corruption and intelligence agencies to establish the facts.
“When people claim N210 trillion is missing, they should be asked: where exactly did it go? Agencies like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should investigate and establish the facts so Nigerians can trust the truth,” Isa stated.
The committee subsequently directed Isa and the former Chief Upstream Investment Officer during the period under review, Bala Wunti, to reappear before it within two weeks as investigations continue.
The hearing forms part of the Senate’s ongoing examination of financial queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation regarding NNPCL’s operations between 2017 and 2023.