Senate Makes U-turn, Distances Itself from Arrest Warrant Against Mele Kyari, Oshiomhole’s Remarks on NNPCL

The Senate on Thursday clarified that it was not responsible for the arrest warrant reportedly issued against former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, stressing that the action originated from a Senate committee and does not represent the position of the entire upper legislative chamber.

The clarification came amid growing public reactions to the decision of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to issue a warrant against Kyari over his failure to appear before lawmakers investigating financial matters involving the state-owned oil company.

Senate Says Committee Actions Do Not Represent Entire Chamber

In distancing itself from the development, the Senate emphasized that resolutions and pronouncements made by its committees do not automatically amount to official decisions of the full Senate unless they are formally presented, debated and adopted during plenary.

The clarification is expected to address concerns and misconceptions surrounding the committee’s action, which generated widespread debate across political and public circles.

The Public Accounts Committee has been conducting an investigation into the financial operations of the NNPCL, including issues relating to audit queries and allegations involving significant sums of money.

Upper Chamber Also Rejects Remarks Attributed to Oshiomhole

The Senate further dissociated itself from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, during the committee’s proceedings on Wednesday.

Reports had quoted Oshiomhole as describing the NNPCL as a “bunch of criminals and thieves” while expressing frustration over allegations of financial mismanagement within the company.

However, the Senate clarified that personal opinions expressed by individual lawmakers during committee hearings should not be interpreted as the official position of the institution.

The chamber stressed that senators are entitled to their views and contributions during oversight engagements, but such comments do not necessarily reflect the collective stance of the Senate.

Ongoing Probe of NNPCL Affairs

The controversy comes against the backdrop of an ongoing legislative probe into the affairs of the NNPCL and the management of public resources within the organisation.

Lawmakers have been scrutinising financial records, audit reports and operational activities of the company as part of their constitutional oversight responsibilities.

The investigation has attracted significant national attention, particularly following the committee’s decision to summon current and former officials of the oil company to provide explanations on various financial transactions.

Kyari Maintains Readiness to Cooperate

Meanwhile, former NNPCL boss Mele Kyari has maintained that he remains willing to cooperate with the investigation.

Kyari recently explained that he was unable to attend the committee’s hearing because he is currently outside Nigeria receiving medical treatment.

He also stated that he had communicated his circumstances to the committee and expressed readiness to provide clarifications through his legal representatives pending his return to the country.

As the investigation continues, attention remains focused on the Senate’s efforts to examine the financial activities of the national oil company and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.