Senate Orders Arrest of Ex-NNPCL Chief Mele Kyari Over ₦210T Probe; “Math Doesn’t Add Up” — Former CFO Rubbishes Claim

In a dramatic escalation of legislative oversight, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a nationwide warrant for the arrest of Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The directive comes after Kyari repeatedly failed to appear before the panel to answer for an astronomical ₦210 trillion in allegedly unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023.

“No More Wild Goose Chases” — Lawmakers Reject Medical Excuse

During the heated investigative hearing, some lawmakers pleaded for leniency, claiming Kyari was currently in Germany receiving medical treatment. However, the committee fiercely rejected the verbal excuse due to a complete lack of documented medical evidence.

Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, the committee’s Deputy Chairman, revealed that this marked the ninth time the panel had met over 19 distinct audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Following a swift motion by Senator Victor Umeh and an overwhelming voice vote, Committee Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo ordered law enforcement to arrest Kyari wherever he is found.

former GCEO of NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari

“Math Doesn’t Add Up” — Former CFO Rubbishes ₦210T Claim

While the hunt for Kyari begins, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya Isa, vehemently denied the allegations, bringing a stark perspective to the table. He pointed out a massive mathematical flaw in the auditor’s claims, arguing that the alleged missing sum is nearly four times what the company actually made.

“To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the confidence to publish audited accounts,” Ajiya stated, challenging accusers to bring forward verifiable proof. “It is impossible for ₦210 trillion to be missing when total revenue before production costs was only ₦54.5 trillion.”

Ajiya also warned that throwing around “unfounded, astronomical figures” severely damages Nigeria’s international credit ratings and scares off foreign investment.

The Senate committee has given Ajiya and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, a strict two-week ultimatum to reappear before the panel as the multi-trillion naira probe intensifies.

Written by Boom RadioNG