Senate Orders Arrest of Ex-NNPC Boss Mele Kyari Over Funds

The Nigerian Senate has issued an arrest order for Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), due to his failure to appear at an investigative hearing regarding allegations of N210 trillion in unaccounted funds from 2017 to 2023. The Senate's Public Accounts Committee, led by Senator Saliu Mustapha, expressed frustration over Kyari's repeated absences and deemed them unacceptable.

Former Chief Financial Officer Umar Isa challenged the allegations, claiming the N210 trillion figure was misleading compared to the company's actual earnings during the review period. The committee emphasized the need for accountability and warned against further delays in the investigation.

Senators argued that the Senate's authority could be undermined if compliance with summons is not enforced. The committee plans to report back to the Senate after the arrest of Kyari, who reportedly is receiving treatment in Germany.