SENATE AGAIN ORDERS ARREST OF EX-NNPCL BOSS OVER ALLEGED N210TRN FRAUD 

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts yesterday ordered the arrest of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), MELE KYARI, following his failure to appear before the committee, in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged unaccounted N210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.

The committee issued the directive after KYARI failed to attend an investigative hearing convened to address queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation regarding the financial records of the state-owned oil company during the period under review.

During the session, some lawmakers including SALIU MUSTAPHA (from Kwara Central) and TONY NWOYE (Anambra North), appealed for restraint, citing reports that the former NNPCL chief was receiving medical treatment in Germany, and  urged the committee to grant KYARI another opportunity to appear before lawmakers and respond to the allegations.

However, the majority of committee members opposed the proposal, insisting that the investigation should proceed without further delay, with  ABDUL NINGI ( from Bauchi Central) stressing that verbal explanations regarding KYARI’S absence were insufficient without documentary evidence confirming his medical condition. 

Following a voice vote, the senate committee chairman, IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO ( representing Gombe North), approved the motion and directed that KYARI be brought before the panel.