Former NNPCL boss, Kyari, insisting he cannot appear before the Senate physically, offered an alternative

Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has insisted that he cannot physically appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.

The committee had threatened to issue an arrest warrant against him over an ongoing investigation into the company’s financial records, and said he had failed to honor several invitations.

Responding to this, Kyari in a letter addressed to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts explained that he had previously informed the committee about his inability to appear before the committee because he was seeking treatment abroad.

“I am referring to the news of the issuance of an arrest warrant against me at the meeting of my respected Brother’s Committee today, June 10 2026. I was very surprised by the issuance of the warrant,” he said.

Kyari said he had informed the committee officially through a letter dated May 11, 2026, that he was receiving medical treatment outside Nigeria. According to him, he has also expressed his willingness to comply with the committee’s invitation upon his return and offered to respond to any urgent questions through his legal representative.

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“I also expressed my willingness to comply with the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria,” he said. “I would like to reiterate that I remain willing and ready to honor the Committee’s invitation and appear before the Committee upon my return to this country.”

The former chairman of the NNPCLNNPCL denied allegations that he deliberately ignored the Senate’s invitation, stating that he had not received a subsequent summons before the warrant was issued.

“However, I would like to state with respect that I have not received or seen the invitation. If the invitation reached me, I would be happy to fulfill it,” he said.

Kyari explained that his current health condition meant he could not physically appear before the committee at this time. He urged lawmakers to address any questions or requests for clarification through his legal team while he continues treatment abroad.

He assured the committee of his full cooperation in the investigation and promised to appear in person as soon as his health permitted.

The Senate Public Accounts Committee has issued an arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before it at a scheduled hearing. The committee is investigating NNPCL’s financial records and transactions, including issues relating to more than ₦210 trillion allegedly under review.

The motion for the writ was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

But Kyari stressed that he had nothing to hide and remained committed to assisting the Senate in its investigation.