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”.
In a formal response addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts seen by The Whistler, Kyari said he had earlier informed the committee that he was outside the country receiving medical treatment and could not physically attend its proceedings.
The former NNPC boss maintained that he had never intended 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 concerning 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, he had explained that he was outside Nigeria on medical grounds and would honour the committee’s invitation on his return.
“I also indicated my readiness to honour the Committee’s invitation when I return to Nigeria,” he said.
Kyari also said he had asked to be allowed to submit written responses if 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.
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 not received nor sighted the said invitation.
If he had received the invitation, he would have gladly appeared before the lawmakers, he argued.
“Nevertheless, I would have gladly honoured the invitation and appeared before the Committee to give any clarification needed,” he added.
Kyari told the court that it was impossible for him to appear for the hearing in person due to his present medical condition.
“I am currently outside of the country receiving critical medical care and am therefore unable to attend physically at this time,” he said.
Although he was not there, he told the Senate committee he was ready to cooperate with its investigation.
If the committee has questions, he said, it should pass them on to his lawyers so he can answer them quickly.
“In light of the above, I respectfully request that my Counsel be provided with any questions or queries the Honourable Committee may wish to raise, so that I may promptly provide the necessary explanations and clarifications,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Kyari after it expressed dissatisfaction over his absence from its proceedings.
“The panel is probing financial matters regarding NNPC Limited and the allegations of over ₦210 trillion now before the legislature.
The motion seeking the issuance of the warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during one of the committee’s hearings.
Kyari also defended his record as head of the national oil company, insisting his administration made significant 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 to a profit making commercial organisation when he was the head of the NNPC.
“I strongly believe that under my leadership, my team and I did creditably well in turning the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited from a loss-making entity to a profitable organization,” he said.
He added that all transactions conducted during his term 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 restated 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 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.
