Mele Kyari Challenges Senate Arrest Warrant Over Health

Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), expressed deep shock regarding an arrest warrant issued against him by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. The warrant was prompted by his failure to appear at a hearing scheduled for June 10, 2026, due to health issues, as he was abroad receiving medical treatment.

Kyari had previously communicated with the committee on May 8, 2026, informing them of his inability to attend the hearing and expressing his willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation. He stated that he had not received a formal invitation to appear before the committee, despite his readiness to honor such an invitation upon his return to Nigeria.

The Senate's investigation focuses on NNPCL's financial records from 2017 to 2023, including allegations of improper accounting related to a N210 trillion financial deal. The motion for the arrest warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adam Oshiomhole.