Senate orders arrest of ex-NNPC CEO over 210 trillion naira

The Nigerian Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), for repeatedly failing to appear before an investigation into alleged financial discrepancies. The arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday, June 10, following a unanimous voice vote by committee members after Kyari was absent from a scheduled hearing.

The committee is investigating audit queries from the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation concerning NNPC Ltd's financial records between 2017 and 2023. The central allegation involves a reported discrepancy of 210 trillion naira. Kyari, who was removed from his position in April 2025, has ignored multiple invitations to address the matter, according to lawmakers.

Committee Chairman Ibrahim Dankwambo stated that the panel was left with little choice but to compel Kyari's appearance. The decision followed a heated debate where some senators, including Tony Nwoye, appealed for leniency, stating they had information that Kyari was hospitalized in Germany. However, other members strongly opposed any further delay. Senator Victor Umeh,...