The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive, Mele Kyari after he failed to attend a hearing on alleged unaccounted funds worth N210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
Kyari has repeatedly skipped sessions reviewing audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF).
The committee ruled on Wednesday that further delays would stall the probe.
Lawmakers Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye asked for leniency, saying Kyari was ill and receiving treatment in Germany.
But other members rejected the request, insisting documented proof was needed.
Senator Abdul Ningi said verbal excuses were insufficient.
Senator Victor Umeh then moved a motion for Kyari’s arrest, which was seconded by Deputy Chairman Peter Nwaebonyi.
"This is the ninth meeting on 19 queries. The time to issue a warrant is now," Nwaebonyi said.
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Adams Oshiomhole warned that ignoring the summons would weaken Senate authority. "The law must catch the lion, not only the rabbit," he said.
Committee Chairman Ibrahim Dankwambo approved the order: "Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee."
Former NNPCL CFO Umar Isa disputed the N210 trillion figure, calling it inconsistent with company records.
Isa said total revenue in the period was about N54.5 trillion before costs, making the claim impossible.
He also denied allegations that N5.8 billion was spent registering NNPC Limited.
"Unfounded claims damage reputations and Nigeria’s credit rating," Isa told the panel, urging The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to verify facts.
He cited how a petition disrupted Chinese funding for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline.
The committee asked Isa and former Upstream Investment Officer Bala Wunti to return within two weeks as the investigation continues.
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