Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has broken his silence on the Kyari Arrest Warrant issued by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, stating that he had already notified lawmakers about his medical treatment abroad and remains willing to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Key Highlights
•Mele Kyari reacts to Senate-issued Kyari Arrest Warrant.
•Former NNPCL boss says he informed lawmakers of his medical trip abroad.
•Kyari describes the arrest warrant as “deeply shocking.”
•Senate committee investigating audit queries linked to over ₦210 trillion.
•Former NNPCL chief denies deliberately ignoring legislative invitations.
•Kyari offers to provide written responses through legal representatives.
•Senate probe focuses on NNPCL financial records between 2017 and 2023.
In a letter dated June 10, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Kyari maintained that he never ignored the committee’s invitation and had previously communicated his inability to attend due to health-related reasons.
Kyari Explains Absence from Senate Hearing
According to the former NNPCL chief, he wrote to the committee on May 11, 2026, informing lawmakers that he was outside Nigeria receiving critical medical treatment and was therefore unable to appear physically before the panel.
“I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant,” Kyari stated, stressing that his earlier correspondence clearly outlined his health condition and temporary absence from the country.
He further noted that he had expressed readiness to appear before the committee immediately upon his return to Nigeria.
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Willingness to Cooperate with Investigation
Kyari reiterated his commitment to cooperating fully with the Senate investigation and proposed an alternative arrangement to facilitate the committee’s work while he remains abroad.
“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 stated.
The former NNPCL boss also suggested that urgent questions from lawmakers could be transmitted through his legal representatives, assuring that he would provide prompt responses.
“To facilitate the process, my counsel can be furnished with any questions or inquiries the committee wishes to raise, and I will promptly provide the necessary clarifications,” he added.
Senate Investigating NNPCL Financial Records
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had earlier issued the Kyari Arrest Warrant following his failure to appear before lawmakers investigating financial transactions and audit queries linked to NNPCL during his tenure.
The investigation reportedly centers on audit observations involving more than ₦210 trillion contained in reports submitted by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation covering the period from 2017 to 2023.
The motion seeking the arrest warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, after committee members expressed concerns over Kyari’s repeated absence from proceedings.
Former NNPCL Boss Denies Receiving Fresh Invitation
Responding to the Senate’s action, Kyari denied intentionally evading the committee, insisting that he did not receive any subsequent invitation requiring his appearance after his initial communication with lawmakers.
“I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation,” he said.
According to him, he would have honoured any invitation if it had been properly communicated.
The former NNPCL chief stressed that his medical condition made physical attendance impossible but maintained that he remains committed to transparency and accountability.
Defends Legacy at NNPCL
Kyari also reflected on his tenure at NNPCL, arguing that his administration implemented significant reforms that transformed the national oil company from a loss-making entity into a profitable commercial organisation.
“I firmly believe that under my leadership, my team and I performed creditably in transforming the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited from a loss-making entity into a profitable organization,” he stated.
He further maintained that all transactions carried out during his stewardship were properly documented and remain available for scrutiny by relevant authorities.
Public Attention on Senate Probe
The controversy surrounding the Kyari Arrest Warrant has attracted significant public interest as lawmakers intensify oversight of NNPCL’s financial operations.
Observers say the outcome of the investigation could have far-reaching implications for transparency, accountability, and corporate governance within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
While the Senate committee continues its probe, Kyari has reiterated that he has no intention of avoiding legislative scrutiny and will appear before lawmakers once his medical treatment abroad is completed.
