Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has called for the immediate arrest of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The demand was made on Wednesday, June 10, during a session of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
Second Senate Call for Kyari's Arrest
This marks the second time the Nigerian Senate has demanded the arrest and thorough investigation of Kyari. According to reports from AIT, Oshiomhole insisted that Kyari must answer questions regarding allegations of corruption and financial misconduct during his tenure.
Allegations of Financial Impropriety
Kyari is currently facing multiple investigations over alleged financial impropriety and unaccounted funds. The accusations range from N210 trillion to over $7.2 billion, as reported by NTA. Vanguard also highlighted the former Edo State governor's concerns and his call for action.
Oshiomhole accused the ex-NNPCL boss of failing to account for the alleged mismanagement of trillions of naira. He urged the committee not to delay in exercising its constitutional powers, stating that a warrant of arrest should be issued immediately.
In his words: "Mr Chairman, this committee must have the courage and the will to deploy its powers as provided in the Nigerian constitution and issue a warrant, not tomorrow, but today. We demand that Mele Kyari be produced, dead or alive. Even if he is dead, we want to see his body."
Background on Kyari's Appointment and Removal
Kyari was appointed as the 19th helmsman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in July 2019 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding Maikanti Baru. He was reappointed in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu.
However, in early April 2025, President Tinubu sacked the entire NNPC board, including Kyari and board chairman Pius Akinyelure. A new 11-man board was appointed, with Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.
The Senate committee's latest move signals a heightened scrutiny of Kyari's actions while in office, with Oshiomhole leading the charge for accountability.
