The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has on Tuesday called for the arrest of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, and his successor, Bayo Ojulari.
The committee particularly demanded immediate issuance warrant against Kyari with member of the committee, Sen. Adams Oshiomole, demanding the presentation of the ex-NNPC boss dead or alive.
Oshiomole had in his address faulted the inaction of the committee over the missing funds recorded under Kyari’s tenure.
“This committee must have the courage, the will to deploy its powers as contained in the Nigeria constitution and issue warrant not tomorrow but today and bring Melee Kyari dead or alive.
“At a time where the country is borrowing money, we have huge money that has not been accounted for. They are serious issues not raised by laymen but competent auditors.
“Where did he have the money to pay for his medical bill in Germany?
“I think that it is not for us to amend the rule we agreed on.” He said.
Oshiomole further faulted Kyari’s deployment of a representative to speak on his behalf before the committee.
“Melee Kyari cannot be represented by a person. He is no longer a Managing Director and his responsibility is to account for his actions as MD. He cannot be represented in that capacity.” The former Edo state governor said.
Meanwhile, a heated argument ensued between Oshiomole and Kyari’s representative as the lawmaker labelled the NNPC a house of thieves with a reputation for fraud.
“NNPC has no reputation. Your reputation is for fraud. I listened and here you say people want their children to be employed in the NNPC. Yes because it is a house of peace and they want their children to benefit from it.” He said.
Following the argument, the Senate committee accepted Oshiomole’s call for the arrest of Kyari as Sen. Nwaebonyi second the motion for the arrest with the chairman of the committee, Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo affirming the call.