*Summons Kyari, Ojulari
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday set April 29, 2026 as the deadline for the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to appear before it and account for N210 trillion flagged in audit reports from 2017 to 2023.
The committee directed that the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, should come along with the immediate past GCEO, Mele Kyari; the former Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajia, Dr. Bala Wunti, and the company’s external auditors, on the stated date without failing.
The resolutions followed a motion moved by Sen. Osita Izunaso (Imo-West) and seconded by Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (Edo-North) during the committee’s sitting in Abuja.
The Committee’s Chairman, Sen. Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa-West), insisted that the unaccounted N210 trillion in the audit reports must be fully explained by the NNPCL management, particularly the immediate-past leadership under Mr. Kyari.
According to Wadada, explanations so far given by the NNPCL to the 19 queries raised on the missing money were unacceptable, stressing that Nigerians deserve convincing and detailed answers.
“This committee and by extension, the Senate, is not satisfied with the blanket explanation given by NNPCL on the N103 trillion which it said stands for liabilities, because liabilities are in three components which are retention fee, legal fee and audit fee,” Wadada stated.
He noted that NNPCL must explain the specific amounts spent on each of the three components.
The committee further demanded a detailed breakdown of N107 trillion the company said it expended on Joint Venture Cash Calls (JVCCs) and part of the money allegedly owed by some defunct banks which names were not mentioned.
“Consequently, it is hereby resolved that the NNPCL is given additional two weeks to unfailingly appear before this committee.
“The deadline for compliance is set for Wednesday, April 29, 2026,” the chairman declared.
Earlier, Sen. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi-Central) urged the committee to invoke the powers of the National Assembly to compel NNPCL’s appearance, citing as insulting, the company’s repeated failure to honour previous invitations.
