Senate Issues Arrest Warrant for Ex-NNPC Boss Mele Kyari

The Senate has issued an arrest warrant for Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), due to his failure to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee regarding an ongoing audit investigation involving N210 trillion. The warrant was approved on Wednesday after committee members expressed frustration over Kyari's absence despite multiple invitations.

Senator Victor Umeh criticized Kyari's lack of respect for the Senate's oversight responsibilities, stating that the Nigerian public deserves answers about the management of public funds. Although Senator Toni Nwoy mentioned that Kyari had assured his willingness to appear before the committee, he also informed that Kyari is currently receiving medical treatment in Germany.

Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi rejected this explanation, asserting that it does not justify Kyari's absence. The committee seeks clarification on transactions and expenditures related to NNPC's financial activities from 2017 to 2023.