Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has expressed surprise over the arrest warrant issued against him by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, insisting that he had already informed lawmakers of his inability to attend their hearing due to medical reasons.
In a letter dated June 10, 2026, Kyari stated that he had previously written to the committee on May 8, with the correspondence reportedly received on May 11, notifying members that he was outside the country receiving medical treatment.
According to him, his absence from the hearing was not intended to obstruct the committee’s investigation but was solely due to health challenges.
“I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant, especially as I had earlier communicated with your committee via a letter dated and received on 11th May, 2026.
“In that letter, I informed the Committee that I was out of the country on medical grounds. I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria,” Kyari wrote.
The former NNPCL chief said he remains committed to cooperating with the Senate investigation and reiterated his readiness to appear before the committee upon his return to the country.
“I wish to reiterate that I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the Committee and to appear before it once I return to the country and at the convenience of the committee,” he stated.
Kyari further revealed that he had offered to respond to the committee’s questions in writing through his legal representatives to ensure that the probe was not delayed while he continued receiving treatment abroad.
In an earlier letter dated May 8, he stated that he was unaware of any formal invitation before learning of the committee’s directive requesting his appearance regarding issues connected to NNPCL’s accounts during his tenure.
“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Notwithstanding this, I would have gladly honoured the invitation and appeared before the Committee to provide any clarification required,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, I am presently outside the country undergoing critical medical care and, due to these circumstances, I am unable to attend physically at this time.”
Kyari also defended his stewardship of the national oil company, maintaining that all transactions conducted during his leadership were properly documented and remain available for verification.
“I remain deeply grateful to my country for the opportunity afforded me to serve with utmost diligence and commitment,” he said.
He added that records of all financial transactions undertaken during his tenure remain within the company and can be reviewed by relevant authorities.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts issued the arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before lawmakers during an ongoing investigation into the financial records and transactions of NNPCL.
The committee is currently examining 19 audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL’s financial records between 2017 and 2023.
The investigation reportedly involves scrutiny of more than ₦210 trillion in financial transactions and accounting records.
The motion seeking the arrest warrant was moved by Victor Umeh and seconded by Adams Oshiomhole.
The Senate committee continues its probe into the audit observations while awaiting further engagement from the former NNPCL chief.
