A former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has expressed surprise over the arrest warrant issued against him by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
In a letter dated June 10, 2026, Kyari said he had previously written to the committee on May 8 and that the correspondence was received on May 11, informing lawmakers that he was abroad on medical grounds and unable to attend the hearing physically.
Kyari maintained that his absence was solely due to health reasons and not an attempt to obstruct the committee’s work, pledging his full cooperation with the investigation.
“I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant, especially as I had earlier communicated with your committee via a letter dated and received on 11th May, 2026.
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“In that letter, I informed the Committee that I was out of the country on medical grounds. I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria,” Kyari wrote.
The former NNPC boss added that he had offered to respond to any questions from the committee in writing to avoid delaying its work.
“I wish to reiterate that 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.
In the earlier letter dated May 8, 2026, Kyari said he was unaware of any formal invitation before learning of the committee’s directive that he appear before lawmakers over issues relating to NNPCL’s accounts during his tenure.
“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Notwithstanding this, I would have gladly honoured the invitation and appeared before the Committee to provide any clarification required,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, I am presently outside the country undergoing critical medical care and, due to these circumstances, I am unable to attend physically at this time.”
Kyari also requested that any questions from the committee be forwarded through his legal representatives to enable him to provide clarifications while receiving treatment abroad.
He further defended his stewardship at NNPCL, stating that proper records of all transactions undertaken during his tenure were maintained and remained available within the company for verification.
“I remain deeply grateful to my country for the opportunity afforded me to serve with utmost diligence and commitment,” he said, adding that all transactions carried out during his tenure were properly documented and available for scrutiny.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had issued the arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before it during an ongoing probe of NNPCL’s financial records and transactions. The committee is examining issues relating to more than ₦210 trillion in financial dealings.
The motion for the warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
The committee is investigating 19 audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL’s financial records between 2017 and 2023, including allegations that N210 trillion could not be properly accounted for.
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