Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, following his failure to appear before lawmakers investigating audit queries linked to the national oil company’s finances between 2017 and 2023.
The directive was issued during an investigative hearing in Abuja as the Senate intensified its scrutiny of alleged financial discrepancies totaling approximately ₦210 trillion contained in NNPCL’s audited financial statements. The probe is based on observations and queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation regarding the company’s financial records during the period under review.
According to reports from the Senate Public Accounts Committee, the disputed amount consists of two major categories: approximately ₦103 trillion classified as accrued expenses and about ₦107 trillion recorded as sundry receivables in NNPCL’s books. Lawmakers have repeatedly argued that explanations previously provided by the company were insufficient and failed to adequately address concerns raised in the audit reports.
The committee’s investigation follows months of exchanges between lawmakers and current as well as former NNPCL officials. Earlier in 2026, the Senate summoned Kyari alongside former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajiya Isa and former NAPIMS executive Bala Wunti to provide detailed explanations regarding the financial records and audit observations. The committee maintained that Nigerians deserve transparent and comprehensive answers regarding the management of public resources in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
During the latest hearing, senators expressed dissatisfaction over Kyari’s absence despite previous invitations and directives requiring his appearance before the panel. Following deliberations, members of the committee resolved that security agencies should ensure that the former NNPCL chief executive is brought before the Senate to answer questions relating to the audit findings. Reports indicate that the committee chairman directed that Kyari be produced before the panel to assist lawmakers in their ongoing investigation.
The controversy surrounding the ₦210 trillion figure has generated significant public debate. While lawmakers insist that the financial entries require detailed clarification, some former NNPCL officials have disputed suggestions that such funds are missing. Former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajiya Isa reportedly argued that the figure represents accounting entries and liabilities reflected in audited statements rather than missing cash. He further maintained that NNPCL’s audited accounts were publicly released and available for regulatory scrutiny.
The Senate committee, however, insists that several questions remain unanswered. Lawmakers have specifically requested detailed breakdowns of liabilities, expenditures, receivables, and other accounting items flagged by auditors. The committee has also questioned certain expenditures and demanded supporting documentation to justify figures contained in the financial reports.
The investigation is considered one of the most significant financial oversight exercises involving Nigeria’s state-owned oil company in recent years. As the nation’s primary petroleum corporation, NNPCL plays a crucial role in managing oil revenues, making transparency and accountability matters of considerable national interest.
With the Senate now escalating its actions through an arrest order, attention is expected to focus on the next phase of the investigation and whether former and current officials will provide the explanations lawmakers are demanding. The outcome of the probe could have far-reaching implications for public confidence in financial governance, accountability within the oil sector, and future reforms aimed at strengthening oversight of Nigeria’s most strategic economic institution. :::
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