The Senate, through its Committee on Public Accounts, has given the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) until April 29, 2026, to appear and account for ₦210 trillion flagged as unaccounted for in audit reports spanning 2017 to 2023.
The directive was issued on Wednesday during a tense session of the Committee in Abuja, following what lawmakers described as repeated failures by NNPCL to provide satisfactory responses to audit queries.
The Committee specifically ordered the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, to lead the appearance and bring along the immediate past GCEO, Mele Kyari.
Also summoned are former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajia, Dr. Bala Wunti, and the external auditors engaged by the national oil company within the period under review.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North).
Announcing the Committee’s decision, Chairman Senator Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West) said the ₦210 trillion cited in the audit reports must be fully explained, particularly by the immediate past management led by Mele Kyari.
According to Wadada, answers previously submitted by NNPCL to 19 audit queries on the ₦210 trillion were “unacceptable” and lacked the detail required for legislative scrutiny.
“This Committee, and by extension the Senate, is not satisfied with the blanket explanation given by NNPCL on the ₦103 trillion it described as liabilities,” Wadada said.
He explained that liabilities comprise three distinct components: retention fees, legal fees, and audit fees, and insisted that specific amounts spent on each must be disclosed and justified.
The Committee Chairman also demanded a detailed breakdown of the remaining ₦107 trillion, which NNPCL said was spent on Joint Venture Cash Calls and claims involving debts allegedly owed by defunct banks.
Wadada noted that NNPCL failed to name the defunct banks or provide supporting documentation, making verification impossible.
“Consequently, it is resolved that NNPCL is given an additional two weeks to appear before this Committee without fail. The deadline for compliance is Wednesday, April 29, 2026,” he declared.
Before the resolution, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged the Senate to invoke its constitutional powers to compel attendance, citing NNPCL management’s repeated disregard for invitations.
“We must treat this matter with the utmost seriousness. The essence of democracy rests significantly on the strength and authority of the legislature. There appears to be a growing reluctance by individuals to honour invitations from the National Assembly, leaving members feeling helpless in compelling appearances before Committees,” Ningi said.
