By Joy Yesufu
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a 10-day deadline to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to respond to 11 critical financial queries related to the company’s audited financial statements.
The committee, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada, warned that failure to comply could result in serious constitutional consequences.
The lawmakers are demanding explanations over alleged financial irregularities in NNPCL’s books, including more than ₦200 trillion in unexplained receivables, as well as undocumented legal and audit fees between 2017 and 2023.
Ojulari had earlier requested a two-month extension to respond to the queries, but the Senate flatly rejected the appeal.
“This is unacceptable. We have given them 10 working days. This committee will not tolerate delay tactics on matters of public finance,” Senator Wadada said during the committee session.
He added that the committee would not hesitate to invoke its oversight powers if NNPCL fails to meet the July 10 deadline.
“Any attempt to disregard this committee’s directive will be treated as contempt of the Senate. We are here to protect public funds, and we will not be deterred,” Wadada declared.
