Senate orders Kyari’s arrest over unaccounted N210trn

• No funds missing, former NNPCL CEO insists

By Haruna Salami

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday ordered the arrest of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, for failing to appear before it over alleged unaccounted funds amounting to N210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.

However, a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of NNPCL, Umar Ajiya Isa, challenged the allegation before the committee, insisting that no money was missing and arguing that the N210 trillion being described as unaccounted for exceeded the company’s total revenue of N54.5 trillion during the period under review.

The warrant for Kyari’s arrest followed his absence from the committee’s investigative session on the alleged unaccounted funds.

During the proceedings, Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), both members of the committee, appealed to the chairman, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North), and other members to grant Kyari another opportunity to appear, explaining that he was reportedly receiving medical treatment in Germany.

Their appeal, however, met stiff opposition from other committee members, who insisted that a warrant of arrest should be issued against the former NNPCL chief.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) argued that a verbal explanation for Kyari’s absence was insufficient and that any claim of illness should be supported with documentary evidence.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) subsequently moved a motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Kyari.

Seconding the motion, the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North), said granting Kyari another opportunity to appear voluntarily would amount to a futile exercise.

“This is the ninth time this committee has met on the 19 queries raised against NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation. Three of those meetings were chaired by me.

“Mr Chairman, the time to issue a warrant of arrest against Mele Kyari is now because the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate,” he said.

Following a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from members, Senator Dankwambo declared: “Wherever Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee.”

Meanwhile, Umar Ajiya Isa strongly disputed the allegation that N210 trillion was missing or unaccounted for.

According to him, if such a huge amount had truly disappeared, NNPCL would not have been able to publish audited financial statements.

“To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the courage to publish audited accounts. For over 40 years, those accounts were either not prepared, not made public, or not even shared with the Auditor-General,” he said.

He further argued that the allegation was inconsistent with the company’s financial records.

“N210 trillion is an enormous sum. NNPC’s total revenue during the period under review was about N54.5 trillion, even before deducting production costs. It is impossible for N210 trillion to be missing or unaccounted for,” he stated.

Ajiya also dismissed claims that N5.8 billion was spent to register NNPC Limited, describing the allegation as false and damaging.

He urged the committee to verify the matter with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), now known as the Nigeria Revenue Service.

According to him, unfounded allegations could damage not only the reputation of individuals and the company but also Nigeria’s image internationally.

“International rating agencies rely on public information when assessing countries. Negative and inaccurate reports can adversely affect Nigeria’s credit rating and national interests,” he said.

He recalled a previous incident involving efforts to secure about $2.5 billion in Chinese financing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, which he said was disrupted after a petition was submitted to Chinese authorities despite the existence of a sovereign guarantee.

“Actions like that discourage public servants. At times, it can be frustrating. But as Nigerians, we remain committed to serving our country and contributing to its development,” he added.

Ajiya maintained that agencies such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should investigate any allegations of missing funds and establish the facts.

“When people claim N210 trillion is missing, they should be asked where exactly it went. Agencies like the NFIU and EFCC should investigate and establish the facts so Nigerians can trust the truth,” he said.

As part of its continuing investigation, the committee directed Ajiya and Bala Wunti, who served as Chief Upstream Investment Officer during the period under review, to appear before it again in two weeks.