Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has expressed surprise over an arrest warrant issued against him by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, insisting he had already informed lawmakers about his absence due to medical reasons.
Kyari, in a letter dated June 10, 2026, said he had earlier written to the committee on May 8, with confirmation of receipt on May 11, notifying them that he was outside the country receiving medical care and therefore unable to attend the hearing in person.
He said his absence was not intended to frustrate the committee’s investigation into financial records of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, adding that he had remained willing to cooperate fully with the probe.
“I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant, especially as I had earlier communicated with your committee via a letter dated and received on 11th May, 2026.
“In that letter, I informed the Committee that I was out of the country on medical grounds. I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria,” Kyari wrote.
He further stated that he had offered to respond to questions in writing while abroad to avoid delaying the committee’s work, and reiterated his readiness to appear when he returns to the country.
“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.
In an earlier correspondence dated May 8, Kyari said he was not aware of any formal invitation before the directive for him to appear before lawmakers over issues linked to NNPCL accounts during his tenure.
“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Notwithstanding this, I would have gladly honoured the invitation and appeared before the Committee to provide any clarification required,” he wrote.
He also explained that he was undergoing “critical medical care” abroad and therefore could not attend physically at the time, while requesting that questions be forwarded through his legal representatives.
Kyari maintained that financial records from his time in office were properly documented and available for verification within the company, stressing his commitment to transparency.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts issued the arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before it in an ongoing probe of NNPCL financial operations.
The panel is reviewing 19 audit queries from the Office of the Auditor-General covering transactions between 2017 and 2023, including allegations involving ₦210 trillion.
The motion for the warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as the committee continues its investigation.
