N210tn Unaccounted Funds: Senate Issues Arrest Warrant for Ex-NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has taken a drastic step by ordering the arrest of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari. This decision was made due to Kyari's consistent absence from an investigative hearing that is probing allegations of N210 trillion in unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023. The committee's directive follows Kyari's failure to appear before it, despite being summoned multiple times to address queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation regarding the company's financial records during the period under review. However, the former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, Umar Isa, has challenged the allegations, stating that no funds are missing and describing the N210 trillion figure as misleading when compared to the company's actual earnings during the period. Isa argued that the total revenue of the NNPC during the period was approximately N54.5 trillion, even before deducting production costs, making it impossible for N210 trillion to be missing or unaccounted for. The arrest order was issued after lawmakers ruled against further delaying the investigation, with some senators urging caution and suggesting that Kyari be given another opportunity to appear, citing his reported illness and treatment in Germany. However, their plea was strongly opposed by other members of the committee, who insisted that the investigation must proceed without further delay. Senator Abdul Ningi argued that verbal excuses should not be accepted without documented proof of illness, a position supported by Senator Victor Umeh, who formally moved the motion for Kyari's arrest. The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, warned that further delay would undermine the committee's work, stating that the time to issue a warrant of arrest against Mele Kyari is now. Former Edo State Governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also argued that the Senate risks diminishing its authority if it fails to enforce compliance with its summons. After a voice vote, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, ruled that Kyari should be arrested and produced before the panel. The committee has directed Isa and the former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to reappear before it within two weeks as the investigation continues.