N210tn audit queries: Kyari finally appears before Senate panel

Résumé détaillé

Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, on Tuesday appeared before the Senate ...

Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, on Tuesday appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to answer questions over financial transactions amounting to N210 trillion flagged in the company’s accounts for the 2017–2023 period.

Kyari arrived at the National Assembly complex in Abuja accompanied by a delegation of officials, bringing an end to months of pressure from lawmakers who had repeatedly demanded his presence to clarify the outstanding audit queries.

The Senate panel is currently examining issues raised in the audited financial statements of the national oil company and referred to the National Assembly by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

The financial entries under scrutiny relate to the period when Kyari led the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its successor, NNPCL.

The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had expressed displeasure over the former GCEO’s failure to honour previous invitations, despite repeated demands for him to appear and provide explanations.

The matter escalated after Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, moved a motion urging the committee to take steps to secure Kyari’s attendance, following concerns that his continued absence was impeding the investigation.

The issue also generated heated exchanges among members of the committee, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole insisting that the former oil chief should personally answer questions about the company’s financial records rather than delegate representatives.

Oshiomhole had called on the panel to consider issuing an arrest warrant to compel Kyari’s attendance, arguing that his position as the former head of the organisation made his personal account of the transactions necessary.

“There are some people seeing themselves as bigger than Nigeria. This committee must have the courage and the will to deploy its powers and issue a warrant to…

Début de l'article, extrait de BusinessDay. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.