Unaccounted N210trn: Again, Senate threatens Ojulari with arrest warrant over absence

Unaccounted N210trn: Again, Senate threatens Ojulari with arrest warrant over absence

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday again threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over his continued failure to appear before it.

Aliyu Wadada Ahmed (Nasarawa West), the Chairman of the committee, issued the warning during an investigative session on the unaccounted N210 trillion flagged in NNPCL audit reports from 2017 to 2023.

“Ojulari must appear before this committee at the next session; failure which will lead to his being brought before us by force,” Wadada said.

The committee fixed May 13, 2026, for the next hearing and insisted the NNPCL boss must appear in person by 3 pm or face arrest.

At the session, Umar Ajia, the immediate past Chief Finance Officer of NNPCL, was present, sworn in, and submitted copies of the audit reports containing queries on the N210 trillion in question.

Wadada disclosed that although Mele Kyari, the former GCEO of NNPCL, and Bala Wunti, former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, were absent, both had reached out to the committee indicating readiness to appear.

“Mele Kyari called me before this session to express his willingness to appear, while Bala Wunti also reached out through Senator Abdul Ningi, assuring the committee he will be present at the next sitting,” Wadada disclosed.

The committee, however, frowned at a letter sent by Ojulari to explain his absence, describing it as inadequate and disrespectful.

The letter, dated April 29, 2026, was signed by Morenike Adewumi, the Organisation’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer.

Addressing the development, Wadada said, “If Ojulari fails to appear on the 13th of next month before this committee by 3:00pm, a warrant of arrest will be issued against him.”

Also expressing displeasure, Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) condemned the action of the NNPCL boss.

“What cannot be explained must be deemed to have been stolen. It is totally disrespectful for the NNPCL GCEO to send a letter signed by his subordinate to this committee for explanation on willful absence.

“He needs to be put where he belongs because if there is no Nigeria, there can be no NNPCL, let alone its GCEO,” he said.

The committee subsequently directed Adewumi and Tajudeen Kareem, the NNPCL Financial Controller, , to convey its resolution to Ojulari, insisting on his appearance at the next session.

It also ordered that copies of the audit reports be made available to Kyari and Wunti ahead of the rescheduled hearing.