AAN — African Affairs Network
Breaking news
President Tinubu Seeks Reps’ Approval For N10.79tn External BorrowingBREAKING: President Tinubu Gifts N100 Million Each to Flamingos For World Cup TriumphNigeria: One Injured as CNG Commercial Bus Explodes on Lagos–Ibadan ExpresswaySuper Eagles Hit Full House in Uyo Ahead of AFCON QualifierNIGERIA: First Lady Receives World Cup-Winning Flamingos at Presidential VillaOlympic Champion Tatjana Smith Switches Allegiance From South Africa to NetherlandsBREAKING: Nigerian Navy Personnel Seize Control of Onne Port Gates After Clash With NPA SecurityEswatini Shuts Down Asian-Owned Businesses in Crackdown on Foreign TradersDR Congo's Ebola Cases Surpass 11,000, Government Data ShowKenya Releases Last Ebola Patient, Starts 42-Day Countdown to Disease-Free StatusNigeria: Police Dismiss Alleged Siege Report on Awujale’s PalaceUS Warns Madagascar Over Growing Military Ties With RussiaNigeria: Gunmen Kidnap Five Civilians in Plateau CommunityLagos State Begins Offloading of 24 New Coaches For Red Line RailNIGERIA: President Tinubu Rules Out Fuel Subsidy Return, Promises Interest-Free Loans For FarmersF1 Champion, Lewis Hamilton Visits Gaza BorderNIGERIA: OOU Suspends Lectures For Two Days After Student’s DeathNIGERIA: Kyari Denies N210tn NNPCL Financial Irregularities, Says No Money Was LostNIGERIA: Senate Donates N100m to Flamingos for Historic World Cup TriumphNIGERIA: Ex-NNPCL Chief Mele Kyari Appears Before Senate Panel

NIGERIA: Ex-NNPCL Chief Mele Kyari Appears Before Senate Panel

Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly alongside a delegation of oil company officials, months after lawmakers threatened to compel his appearance over the allegations.

BABabatunde AbdulRaheem Lawal

Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday over alleged financial irregularities in the company’s accounts.

Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly alongside a delegation of oil company officials, months after lawmakers threatened to compel his appearance over the allegations.

His appearance is part of an ongoing Senate investigation into alleged financial discrepancies and unresolved audit queries in NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023, reportedly involving more than N210tn.

Article image

The audit queries were forwarded to the committee by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, prompting lawmakers to demand explanations from Kyari and other officials of the national oil company.

The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had earlier resolved to invoke its constitutional powers to compel the former NNPCL boss to appear after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations.

The decision followed a motion moved by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, amid concerns among lawmakers over what they described as repeated attempts to frustrate the investigation.

Article image

Senator Adams Oshiomhole had also called on the committee to issue an arrest warrant for Kyari, insisting that he should personally answer questions concerning the company’s financial records during his tenure.

The former Edo State governor rejected any arrangement that would allow Kyari to send representatives in his place, arguing that he must account for his stewardship as the company’s former chief executive.

However, the Senate clarified that no committee has the authority to issue, authorise or execute an arrest warrant without complying with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the express approval of the Senate President.

The upper chamber also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”, stating that the comments did not represent the position of the Senate.

0

Comments (0)