The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered
the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his failure to appear
before lawmakers investigating alleged financial discrepancies totaling N210
trillion.
The directive was issued during a committee session on
June 10 after Kyari reportedly failed to honour multiple invitations related to
audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation
concerning NNPCL’s financial records between 2017 and 2023.
Lawmakers said the decision followed repeated absences
by the former NNPCL chief despite ongoing efforts to obtain explanations
regarding the issues highlighted in the audit report.
During the hearing, some committee members appealed
for restraint, citing reports that Kyari was receiving medical treatment in
Germany.
Senators Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye urged the
committee to provide him with another opportunity to appear before the panel.
However, several lawmakers opposed the request, insisting that the
investigation should not be delayed further without documented evidence
supporting claims of ill health.
Senator Abdul Ningi argued that verbal explanations
were insufficient and should be backed by official documentation. His position
was later reinforced by Senator Victor Umeh, who moved a motion calling for
Kyari's arrest.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Chairman of the
Committee, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, stressed the need for the Senate to
conclude its investigation without additional setbacks.
According to Nwaebonyi, the committee had already held
several meetings on the audit issues raised against NNPCL and could not afford
further delays in completing its assignment.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo
North, Adams Oshiomhole, also backed the move, stating that the National
Assembly must enforce compliance with its summons to maintain its authority and
credibility.
Following deliberations, Committee Chairman Senator
Ibrahim Dankwambo ruled that a warrant should be issued to compel Kyari's
appearance before the panel.
The investigation centres on allegations that
approximately N210 trillion remains unaccounted for in the company's financial
records during the period under review.
However, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar
Isa, strongly disputed the claim, describing the figure as inaccurate and
inconsistent with the company's financial performance.
Appearing before the committee, Isa maintained that no
such funds were missing and argued that the allegation lacked factual basis.
He explained that NNPCL generated approximately N54.5
trillion in revenue during the years under review, making it impossible for
N210 trillion to have disappeared from the company's accounts.
Isa also defended the company's record of publishing
audited financial statements, noting that the organization had made efforts to
improve transparency compared to previous decades when such reports were often
unavailable.
In addition, he rejected claims that N5.8 billion was
spent on the registration of NNPC Limited, describing the allegation as
misleading and urging lawmakers to verify the figures through relevant
regulatory agencies.
The former finance chief warned that unverified
allegations could damage the reputation of both the company and the country,
potentially affecting investor confidence and Nigeria's international standing.
He cited previous instances where negative reports and
petitions allegedly disrupted efforts to secure foreign financing for major
infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline.
Isa further called on agencies such as the Nigerian
Financial Intelligence Unit and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to
thoroughly investigate the matter and establish the facts for public
confidence.
At the end of the session, the committee directed Isa
and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer Bala Wunti to return within two
weeks as the investigation into the audit queries continues.
The Senate's decision marks a significant development
in its ongoing scrutiny of NNPCL's financial management and accountability
practices.
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