*Says Arrest Warrant “Deeply Shocking”
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Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, has denied deliberately refusing to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, describing the arrest warrant issued against him as “deeply shocking.”
Kyari made his position known in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts following the committee’s decision to order his arrest over his absence from an ongoing investigation into the financial records of NNPCL.
The committee is probing issues relating to the company’s financial transactions, including matters connected to over ₦210 trillion allegedly under review.
In the letter, Kyari said he had earlier informed the committee that he was outside the country receiving medical treatment and would appear before it upon his return.
“I refer to the news of the arrest warrant issued against me during the proceedings of your esteemed Committee today, June 10, 2026. I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant,” he stated.
Kyari said he had formally notified the committee in a letter dated May 11, 2026, of his inability to attend the hearing because of his medical treatment abroad.
He added that he had also expressed his willingness to honour the committee’s invitation as soon as he returns to Nigeria.
“I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria,” he said.
“I wish to reiterate that I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the Committee and to appear before it once I return to the country.”
The former NNPCL boss also denied receiving any subsequent invitation before the arrest warrant was issued.
According to him, had he received the invitation, he would have honoured it.
“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Had the invitation reached me, I would have gladly honoured it,” he said.
Kyari explained that his current medical condition makes it impossible for him to appear physically before the committee at this time.
He urged the committee to channel any urgent questions, requests for clarification or documents through his legal representatives pending his return to the country.
He assured the lawmakers of his full cooperation with the investigation and pledged to appear in person once his health permits.
Kyari maintained that he has nothing to hide, adding that all transactions carried out under his leadership at NNPCL were properly documented and remain available for scrutiny.
Defending his tenure, he said his management team transformed NNPCL from a loss-making entity into a commercially viable and profitable organisation.
“I remain deeply grateful to my country for the opportunity afforded me to serve with utmost diligence and commitment,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had earlier issued the arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before it during a scheduled investigative hearing.
The motion for the warrant was reportedly moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
However, Kyari insisted that his absence was not deliberate and reaffirmed his readiness to assist the Senate in its investigation once he is medically fit and back in Nigeria.
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