Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has reacted to the arrest warrant issued by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, denying allegations that he deliberately avoided the ongoing investigation into the company’s financial records.
The senate committee had earlier ordered Kyari’s arrest after he failed to appear before it at a scheduled hearing linked to an ongoing probe into the financial transactions and records of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
In a letter addressed to the committee chairman, Kyari described the arrest warrant as “deeply shocking,” insisting that he had formally notified the panel of his inability to attend due to medical treatment abroad.
He said a letter dated May 11, 2026, was sent to the committee informing lawmakers of his health condition and his willingness to appear before the panel upon his return to Nigeria.
“I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the Committee and to appear before it once I return to the country,” he stated.
Kyari rejected suggestions that he ignored the senate’s invitation, insisting he had not received any subsequent notice before the arrest warrant was issued.
“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Had the invitation reached me, I would have gladly honoured it,” he said.
The former NNPCL boss explained that his current health condition prevents him from physically appearing before the committee and urged lawmakers to direct any urgent communication through his legal representatives while he continues treatment abroad.
He maintained that he remains fully committed to cooperating with the investigation and would appear in person once medically cleared to travel.
Kyari also defended his tenure at the national oil company, stating that his management team transformed NNPCL from a loss-making entity into a commercially viable organisation, adding that all transactions under his leadership were properly documented and open to scrutiny.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts is currently probing the financial records of the NNPCL, including transactions reportedly worth over N210 trillion.
The motion for the arrest warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole after Kyari failed to appear before the panel.
Despite the warrant, Kyari insisted he has nothing to hide and remains willing to assist the senate in its ongoing investigation.
