Elegbede Abiodun
Senate demands specific amount of money spent on each section of components.
The Senate has set April 29, 2026 as deadline for appearance of management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, before it.
According to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada, Nasarawa West after its meeting on Wednesday, the date is for the NNPCL management to account for the yet-to-be accounted for N210 trillion as contained in audit reports of 2017 to 2023.
The Committee specifically declared that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, should lead the immediate past GCEO, Mele Kyari; former Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajia; Dr Bala Wunti and external auditors of the oil company to it on the said date unfailingly.
Motion moved
Resolutions of the committee were sequel to a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso, APC, Imo West and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Wadada emphasised that the unaccounted N210 trillion by NNPCL as contained in the audit reports of 2017 to 2023, must be accounted for by management of the agency, particularly the immediate past management led by Mele Kyari.
According to him, explanations or answers given by NNPCL to the 19 queries raised on the unaccounted N210 trillion, were unacceptable as Nigerians are entitled to convincing and detailed explanations.
Wadada said: “This committee and, by extension, the Senate is not satisfied with blanket explanation given by NNPCL on N103 trillion which it said stands for liabilities because liabilities are in three components which are retention fee, legal fee and audit fee.
“Specific amount of money spent on each of the three components, must be stated and explained .
“Detailed explanation is also expected to be given on the N107 trillion NNPCL said it expended on JVC cash call and part of the money allegedly owed by some defunct banks whose names were not mentioned.
“Consequently, it is hereby resolved, that the NNPCL is given an additional two weeks to unfailingly appear before this committee. The deadline for compliance is set for Wednesday, April 29, 2026.”
Earlier before the resolution, a member of the committee, Senator Abdul Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central called for invocation of powers of the National Assembly to compel the appearance of NNPCL management, having failed repeatedly to appear before it.
Ningi said: “We must treat this matter with the utmost seriousness. The essence of democracy rests significantly on the strength and authority of the legislature.
“Unfortunately, in recent times, 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.”
