Former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari says he is “deeply shocked” by an arrest warrant issued against him by Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Public Accounts. In a letter dated June 10, 2026, Kyari says he had already informed the committee that he was abroad for medical treatment and was unable to attend hearings in person. He references correspondence sent on May 8 and received on May 11, stating that it made clear he could not physically appear but was willing to cooperate, including responding to questions in writing. Kyari also reiterates readiness to appear after he returns to Nigeria and says his NNPCL stewardship involved properly documented transactions available for verification.
The Senate Committee is reported to have issued the warrant after Kyari did not appear during its probe of NNPCL’s financial records, including audit issues raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation. Lawmakers are examining allegations that transactions worth over ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023 were not properly accounted for. The motion for the warrant is described as moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
