Senate gives NNPCL April 29 deadline to account for N210trn, summons Kyari, Ojulari

From left Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Osita Izunaso and Chairman Senate Committee on Public Account Senator Aliyu Wadada, during a press briefing on the non-appearance of the management of NNPCL over the issue of alleged missing N210 trillion.

By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka

Abuja

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday set April 29, 2026 as the deadline for the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to appear before it and account for N210 trillion flagged in audit reports from 2017 to 2023.

The committee directed that the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, must lead the immediate past GCEO, Mele Kyari, former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajia, Dr. Bala Wunti, and the company’s external auditors to appear on the stated date without fail.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) during the committee’s sitting in Abuja.

Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), insisted that the unaccounted N210 trillion contained in the audit reports must be fully explained by the NNPCL management, particularly the immediate past leadership under Mele Kyari.

According to Wadada, explanations so far given by NNPCL to the 19 queries raised on the sum were unacceptable, stressing that Nigerians deserve convincing and detailed answers.

“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,” Wadada said.

He added that NNPCL must state and explain the specific amounts spent on each of the three components. The committee also demanded a detailed breakdown of N107 trillion the company said it expended on Joint Venture Cash Calls 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,” the chairman declared.

Earlier, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged the committee to invoke the powers of the National Assembly to compel NNPCL’s appearance, citing the company’s repeated failure to honour previous invitations.

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