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The former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has denied allegations that he is dodging investigations or refusing to be arrested.
Kyari, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Thursday, explained that he had earlier informed the committee of his inability to appear before it due to medical treatment abroad.
The development comes a day after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts ordered Kyari’s arrest for failing to appear before it over an ongoing investigation into alleged unaccounted funds totalling ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
The former NNPC boss described the Senate’s position as deeply shocking.
Credit: The Guardian
“I refer to the news of the arrest warrant issued against me during the proceedings of your esteemed Committee today, June 10, 2026. I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant,” he stated.
Kyari also denied allegations that he deliberately ignored the Senate’s invitation, insisting he did not receive any subsequent summons before the warrant was issued.
“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Had the invitation reached me, I would have gladly honoured it,” he stated.
He explained that his current medical condition makes it impossible for him to appear physically before the committee at this time, adding that he is willing to cooperate through his legal representatives while undergoing treatment abroad.
Kyari further assured the committee of his full cooperation with the investigation and pledged to appear in person once his health permits.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had issued the arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before it during a scheduled sitting on Wednesday.
The committee is investigating the financial records and transactions of the NNPCL, including issues relating to over ₦210 trillion allegedly under review.
