From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Senate, on Thursday, distanced itself from the warrant of arrest issued against former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, by its Committee on Public Accounts, declaring that no Senate committee has the authority to independently issue, authorise or execute a warrant without the approval of the President of the Senate.
The upper legislative chamber also dissociated itself from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who reportedly described the NNPC as a “bunch of criminals and thieves” during a recent hearing of the committee.
The development followed controversy generated by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts’ decision on Wednesday to order Kyari’s arrest over his failure to appear before it in an ongoing investigation into alleged unaccounted funds of ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
The warrant was issued during an investigative session chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North), who heads the committee probing financial records and transactions of NNPC Limited during the period under review.
The committee had expressed dissatisfaction with Kyari’s absence from the hearing and subsequently directed that a warrant be issued to compel his appearance before lawmakers.
However, during plenary on Thursday, Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) raised the issue through a point of order pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules.
Bamidele urged the Senate to reaffirm the provisions of Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which vest the authority to issue warrants compelling the attendance of witnesses before the Senate or any of its committees exclusively in the President of the Senate.
According to him, while committees possess investigative powers delegated by the Senate, they do not have the legal authority to independently issue, authorise or execute warrants of arrest.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved that no committee shall henceforth purport to issue, authorise or execute any warrant except in strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and with the approval of the Senate President.
The chamber further clarified that comments made by individual senators during committee proceedings do not constitute the official position of the Senate unless adopted by the full chamber through a formal resolution.
Responding to concerns over his comments at the committee hearing, Senator Oshiomhole defended his choice of words, insisting that he spoke under provocation while attempting to protect the integrity of the Senate and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
The former Edo State governor and ex-president of the Nigeria Labour Congress maintained that his remarks should be viewed within the context of the committee’s efforts to scrutinise the activities of public institutions.
Meanwhile, Kyari has reacted strongly to the committee’s decision to issue an arrest warrant against him, describing the development as “deeply shocking” and insisting that he never ignored the Senate’s invitation.
In a formal correspondence addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, the former NNPC chief stated that he had previously communicated his inability to appear before the committee because he was outside Nigeria receiving medical treatment.
“I refer to the news of the arrest warrant issued against me during the proceedings of your esteemed Committee today, 10th June, 2026. I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant”, Kyari wrote.
According to him, his position was consistent with an earlier letter sent to the committee, in which he informed lawmakers that he was abroad, undergoing medical care, and therefore unable to attend the hearing in person.
Kyari explained that he had also conveyed his readiness to honour the committee’s invitation immediately upon his return to Nigeria and requested the opportunity to provide written responses to urgent inquiries pending his appearance.
“I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria”, he stated.
Reiterating his commitment to the investigation, the former NNPC boss insisted that he had never sought to evade legislative scrutiny and remained willing to cooperate fully with the committee.
“I wish to reiterate that I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the Committee and to appear before it once I return to the country and at the convenience of the Committee”, he added.
Kyari further disclosed that he was unaware of any fresh invitation from the committee before the warrant was issued.
“I am made to understand that your distinguished Committee directed that I appear before it in respect of matters relating to the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited during my tenure as Group Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer. However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation”, he wrote.
He maintained that had such an invitation been brought to his attention, he would have willingly appeared before lawmakers to provide any clarification required.
“Notwithstanding this, I would have gladly honoured the invitation and appeared before the Committee to provide any clarification required”, he said.
The former NNPC chief stressed that his current medical condition had made it impossible for him to attend the hearing in person.
“Unfortunately, I am presently outside the country undergoing critical medical care and, due to these circumstances, I am unable to attend physically at this time”, he explained.
To facilitate the committee’s work, Kyari requested that lawmakers channel any questions or requests for clarification through his legal representatives, assuring them that prompt responses would be provided.
“In view of the foregoing, I humbly request that my Counsel be furnished with any questions or inquiries the Honourable Committee may wish to raise, to enable me promptly provide the necessary explanations and clarifications.
The former NNPC boss also pledged to appear personally before the committee as soon as his health permits and his medical treatment is concluded.
“I wish to assure the distinguished Committee of my utmost respect and willingness to make myself available at the earliest possible opportunity”, he noted.
Defending his stewardship of the national oil company, Kyari maintained that his administration successfully transformed NNPC from a loss-making organisation into a profitable commercial entity through a series of reforms and operational improvements.
“I firmly believe that under my leadership, my team and I performed creditably in transforming the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited from a loss-making entity into a profitable organisation.
He further assured lawmakers that all transactions carried out during his tenure were properly documented and remain available within the company for verification.
“Proper records of all transactions undertaken during my tenure were duly maintained and remain available within the NNPC for verification and reference”, Kyari concluded.
