Senate Issues Arrest Warrant for Ex-NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari

The Nigerian Senate has ordered the arrest of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), amid a controversy surrounding an audit that revealed unresolved financial discrepancies totaling N210 trillion. The Senate Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, invoked its constitutional powers to issue the warrant after Kyari allegedly ignored repeated invitations to appear before the committee.

Senator Victor Umeh emphasized that the committee could no longer tolerate delays in the investigation, describing it as one of the largest financial audits ever undertaken by the National Assembly. The matter has lingered for too long, and Umeh stated that Nigerians deserve answers regarding the unresolved trillions.

The motion to issue the arrest warrant received overwhelming support from committee members. Adam Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, argued that the Senate risks diminishing its authority if it fails to enforce compliance with its summons.