Former NNPCL Chief Reacts To Arrest Warrant, Says He Is Shocked And Unable To Appear Before Senate

Mele Kyari, a former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has described the decision of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to issue an arrest warrant against him, over an ongoing investigation into the affairs of the national oil company as “deeply shocking”.

Kyari, in a formal response addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, sighted by The Whistler, said he had earlier told the committee that he was outside the country receiving treatment and could not attend its proceedings physically.

Former NNPC boss, Maikanti Baru, has insisted that he had no intention to evade the committee’s invitation and was still willing to cooperate fully with the investigation.

Kyari said in the letter that his position had already been communicated to the committee in a letter dated May 11, 2026.

“I am writing to you regarding the news of the arrest warrant issued against me during the proceedings of your esteemed Committee today, 10th June, 2026. ‘I am appalled by the issuing of the warrant,’ he wrote.

In the earlier letter he had explained that he was outside Nigeria for medical reasons and would attend the committee’s invitation upon his return.

“I also indicated my readiness to accept the Committee’s invitation when I return to Nigeria,” he said.

Kyari also said he had asked to be allowed to submit responses in writing in case his medical trip disrupted the committee’s schedule.

The former NNPC chief also denied any deliberate snub of the Senate panel, insisting that he had not received any new invitation before the warrant was issued.

“I am made to understand that your distinguished Committee directed that I appear before it in respect of matters relating to the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited during my tenure as Group Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer,” he said.

“However, I wish to respectfully state that I neither received nor sighted the said invitation.

He said he would have appeared gladly before the lawmakers if he had received the invitation.

“I would have been happy to accept the invitation and appear before the Committee to provide any clarification that was needed,” he added.

Kyari told the court that his present state of health made it impossible for him to appear for the hearing physically.

“I am currently out of the country receiving critical medical treatment and am therefore unable to attend in person at this time,” he said.

He was not present but told the Senate committee that he was prepared to cooperate with its investigation.

If the committee has questions, he said it should send them to his lawyers so he can respond quickly.

“In light of the above, I pray that my Counsel be provided with any questions or queries the Honourable Committee may want to raise, so that I can forthwith provide the required explanations and clarifications,” he said.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Kyari over its dissatisfaction with his absence from its proceedings.

“The panel is investigating financial issues concerning NNPC Limited and the allegations of over ₦210 trillion now before the legislature.

Senator Victor Umeh moved the motion for the issuance of the warrant, while Senator Adams Oshiomhole seconded the motion during one of the committee’s hearings.

Kyari, meanwhile, defended his performance as the national oil company’s chief, arguing his administration brought in substantial reforms.

“I am ever grateful to my country for the opportunity given to me to serve with the highest degree of diligence and commitment,” he said.

He said that he changed the company from a loss-making entity to a profitable commercial organisation when he was the head of the NNPC.

“I believe strongly that my team and I performed creditably well under my leadership in turning Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited from a loss making entity to a profitable organisation,” he said.

He said all the transactions done when he was in office were properly documented and still available for inspection.

“Furthermore, proper records of all transactions undertaken during my tenure were duly maintained and are available in the NNPC for verification and reference,” Kyari said.

Kyari, who has repeatedly said that he respected the Senate and their constitutional oversight roles, maintained that he had nothing to hide about his stewardship of the company.

He told lawmakers he would appear before the committee as soon as he had completed his medical treatment abroad and his health condition allowed.

The former NNPC boss said his current engagement through legal representatives was meant to be a temporary measure pending his return to Nigeria, adding that he was still committed to providing every clarification required by the Senate panel.