Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has expressed surprise over the arrest warrant issued against him by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts in connection with an ongoing investigation into over ₦210 trillion in disputed financial records.
Kyari, in a letter dated June 10, 2026, said he had earlier informed the committee that he was outside Nigeria receiving medical treatment and was therefore unable to honour its invitation.
“I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant, especially as I had earlier communicated with the committee that I was out of the country on medical grounds,” Kyari stated.
He maintained that his absence was not an attempt to evade scrutiny, stressing that he remains willing to cooperate fully with the Senate's investigation.
According to him, he had also offered to respond to the committee’s questions in writing through his legal representatives to avoid delaying the probe.
“I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the committee and appear before it once I return to the country,” he added.
Kyari further stated that all transactions undertaken during his tenure were properly documented and remain available within NNPCL for verification.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts issued the warrant after the former NNPCL chief failed to appear before lawmakers during hearings on audit queries covering the company's operations between 2017 and 2023.
The committee is examining 19 audit observations raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, including concerns over approximately ₦210 trillion in expenditures and receivables recorded in NNPCL's audited financial statements.
The motion seeking the warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
However, in a fresh development, the Senate has reportedly distanced itself from claims that a formal arrest warrant had been approved by the upper chamber, raising questions about the status of the committee's directive.
The controversy adds another layer to the growing scrutiny of NNPCL's financial records, as lawmakers push for accountability over one of the largest audit investigations involving Nigeria's oil and gas sector.