N210trn probe: Senate panel threatens NNPC boss, ex-chiefs with arrest warrant

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, and other top officials over their repeated failure to appear before it to answer queries on the company’s audited financial statements. The Senate […]

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, and other top officials over their repeated failure to appear before it to answer queries on the company’s audited financial statements.

The Senate committee stated that the audited statements of the NNPC from 2017 to 2023 indicated that N210 trillion could not be properly accounted for.

The panel, which is probing NNPC’s financial operations for the period, adjourned its session on Wednesday after Ojulari and the current Chief Financial Officer failed to show up.

A letter from the NNPC, dated April 29, 2026, and signed by Chief Relations Officer Morenike A. Adewumi, was read during the sitting.

The letter apologised for the GCEO’s absence, citing “official engagements outside the country,” and stated that the Financial Controller, Mr Tajudeen Kareem, had been authorised to represent the company.

The Chairman of the committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada, however, rejected the representation.

He said, “We want to let the GCEO know that for whatever decision is taken today, if he does not appear, a warrant of arrest will be issued.” On the next steps, the committee resolved that former GCEO Mele Kyari, Bala Wunti, and current GCEO Bayo Ojulari must appear in person on May 13, 2026.