Senate Orders Arrest of Former NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari Over Alleged ₦210 Trillion Financial Discrepancies

Nigeria’s former oil chief, Mele Kyari, is now facing a dramatic showdown with lawmakers after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts ordered his arrest over allegations involving an unaccounted ₦210 trillion linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The committee issued the directive after Kyari failed to appear before lawmakers investigating financial queries raised against the national oil company for the period between 2017 and 2023. His absence sparked heated debate among committee members, with some senators urging patience while others insisted that the investigation could no longer be delayed.

During the hearing, lawmakers were informed that Kyari was reportedly undergoing medical treatment in Germany. However, several senators argued that the explanation was insufficient without official documentation to support the claim.

Leading the opposition to any further delay, Senator Abdul Ningi questioned why no medical records had been presented to justify Kyari’s absence. Senator Victor Umeh subsequently moved a motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest, a proposal that received strong backing from the committee.

The committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, said lawmakers had already held multiple sessions on the matter and could not continue postponing the investigation indefinitely. According to him, the committee had met nine times to examine 19 audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL’s operations.

Following a voice vote, members overwhelmingly approved the motion. Committee Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, subsequently directed security agencies to arrest Kyari wherever he may be and bring him before the panel.

Meanwhile, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya Isa, strongly disputed claims that ₦210 trillion was missing. He told lawmakers that the figure was far higher than the company’s total earnings during the period under review, arguing that NNPCL generated approximately ₦54.5 trillion in revenue between 2017 and 2023.

Ajiya maintained that the allegation was mathematically impossible and defended the company’s financial records. He noted that NNPCL had published audited accounts during the period, insisting that any suggestion that ₦210 trillion had disappeared was inaccurate. He also rejected claims that ₦5.8 billion was spent on registering NNPC Limited, describing the allegation as false and potentially damaging to Nigeria’s reputation among international investors and rating agencies.

As the investigation continues, the committee directed Ajiya and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to return for further questioning within two weeks as lawmakers intensify scrutiny of NNPCL’s financial operations.