By Paul Joseph
Nigerians have called on the Federal Government to launch a comprehensive investigation into allegations of financial impropriety involving former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, following claims of an alleged N210 trillion fraud raised during proceedings in the Senate.
The calls come amid an ongoing probe by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts into the financial records and transactions of the NNPCL.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, had earlier moved to invoke its constitutional powers after what lawmakers described as repeated failures by Kyari to honour invitations to appear before the panel.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Victor Umeh, who argued that the committee could no longer delay its investigation into issues concerning trillions of naira reflected in NNPCL accounts.
Proceedings took a dramatic turn when Senator Tony Nwoye informed the committee that Kyari was reportedly undergoing medical treatment in Germany and was therefore unable to attend the hearing.
“I spoke to Mele Kyari about a week ago. He promised that he would be here. But incidentally, I learned last night that the man is hospitalized in Germany,” Nwoye told lawmakers.
His intervention drew criticism from Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who accused him of appearing to defend the former NNPCL chief.
“You are not Kyari’s lawyer!” Nwaebonyi reportedly responded, leading to a brief exchange on the committee floor.
Nwoye, however, denied acting on Kyari’s behalf, insisting he was merely conveying information available to him while leaving the final decision to the committee.
Reacting to the earlier warrant, Kyari maintained that he never ignored the Senate’s invitation and described the action as surprising. In a letter addressed to the committee chairman, he stated that he had formally informed lawmakers of his medical trip abroad and his inability to attend the hearing.
The Senate on Thursday subsequently withdrew the arrest warrant earlier issued against the former NNPCL boss and clarified that comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves” did not represent the official position of the upper legislative chamber.
The Senate’s clarification has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the decision and demanding greater accountability from public officials.
Reacting on X, James Abraham (@JamesUAbraham) wrote: “With a man like Senator Oshiomhole, Nigeria still has a flickering light on. Publicly disavowing him and acting quickly within 24 hours tells a lot about the corruption in Nigeria. Only in Nigeria would NNPCL and Mele Kyari get away with theft on this scale.”
Another user, ADE (@Ade_Niyiii), alleged that some lawmakers were unwilling to allow Kyari to appear before the committee, claiming that several individuals were complicit in corruption within the NNPCL during his tenure.
For Eddie Bongos (@IwinosaB), stronger penalties are needed to curb corruption. “Until the death sentence is enacted for corruption, Naija will never move forward,” he wrote.
Donald Wells (@oildeck) expressed shock at the scale of the figures being discussed, stating: “The mere sound of N210 trillion is dizzying. Are these leaders really human beings?”
Similarly, Oshafu Mohammed Isa (@isa_oshafu85664) questioned Kyari’s legacy at the NNPCL, while linking his tenure to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Another commentator, Comrade Abiyose (@AbbaM_Abiyos), urged Nigerians to unite in demanding accountability regardless of political, ethnic or regional affiliations.
“This is not a regional war. We must come together as Nigerians to demand accountability and hold every public office holder accountable. Let them face the wrath of the law. Corrupt politicians are the enemies of this country, not us or our region,” he wrote.
Many of those reacting to the controversy stressed that allegations of financial misconduct involving public officials should be subjected to transparent investigation and due process, arguing that no individual should be shielded from scrutiny if public confidence in government institutions is to be maintained.
As debate continues over the Senate’s handling of the matter, citizens are increasingly calling for a thorough and independent investigation to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and ensure accountability where necessary.
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