The Senate has issued a firm deadline to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL): produce its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, alongside other senior officials, to answer questions over a staggering N210 trillion found to be unaccounted for in audit reports between 2017 and 2023.
Through its Public Accounts Committee, the upper legislative chamber ordered that the current NNPCL Group CEO, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, must lead the immediate past GCEO, Mele Kyari; former Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajia; Dr Bala Wunti; and the company’s external auditors to appear unfailingly on 29 April 2026.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North).
Unacceptable explanations
Senator Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), who chairs the committee, declared that the explanations provided by NNPCL regarding 19 queries on the N210 trillion shortfall were unsatisfactory.
“Nigerians are entitled to convincing and detailed explanations,” Wadada said. “This committee, and by extension the Senate, is not satisfied with the blanket explanation given by NNPCL on N103 trillion, which it claimed stands for liabilities. Liabilities have three components: retention fees, legal fees and audit fees. The specific amount spent on each must be stated and explained.”
He added that the same level of detail is required for the remaining N107 trillion, which NNPCL said was spent on joint venture cash calls and funds allegedly owed by defunct banks whose names were not disclosed.
Two-week final deadline
The committee has therefore given NNPCL an additional two weeks to comply. The final deadline is set for Wednesday, 29 April 2026.
Lawmakers demand stronger action
Earlier in the proceedings, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) called on the National Assembly to invoke its constitutional powers to compel the appearance of NNPCL’s management, citing repeated failures to honour previous invitations.
“We must treat this matter with the utmost seriousness,” Ningi argued. “The essence of democracy rests significantly on the strength and authority of the legislature. Unfortunately, in recent times, there appears to be a growing reluctance by individuals to honour invitations from the National Assembly, leaving members feeling helpless.”
The Senate has warned that failure to comply by the new deadline will attract appropriate legislative sanctions.
