Former NNPCL Boss Breaks Silence On Arrest Warrant, Explains Why He Missed Senate Appearance

Mele Kyari, a former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has reacted to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts’ decision 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, which was 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.

The former NNPC boss insisted that he never planned to evade the committee’s invitation and was still ready to cooperate fully with the investigation.

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

I am writing you with regard to the news of the issue of the arrest warrant against me in the course of proceedings of your esteemed Committee today, 10th June, 2026. ‘I am appalled by the issuing of the warrant,’ he wrote.

He said in the earlier letter that he had explained that he was outside Nigeria on medical grounds and would honour the committee’s invitation on his return.

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

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

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

He said, “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.”

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

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

“But 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 medical condition made it impossible for him to appear for the hearing in person.

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

He was not there but told the Senate committee he was ready to cooperate with its investigation.

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

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

Earlier, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had issued an arrest warrant against Kyari after it expressed dissatisfaction over his absence from its proceedings.

The panel is looking into financial issues concerning NNPC Limited and the allegations of over ₦210 trillion currently before the legislature.

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

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

“I wish to remain 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 he turned the company from a loss making commercial organisation to a profit making one when he was the head of the NNPC.

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

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

“In addition, proper records of all transactions conducted during my tenure were duly kept and are available within the NNPC for verification and reference,” Kyari stated.

Kyari reiterated his respect for the Senate and its constitutional oversight responsibilities, insisting that he had nothing to hide about his stewardship of the company.

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

The former NNPC boss said his present 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.