The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, after he failed to appear before lawmakers investigating allegations of unaccounted funds amounting to ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.

The directive was issued during a committee hearing on Wednesday following Kyari’s absence from proceedings examining 19 audit queries raised against NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

According to Channels Television, some senators urged the committee to allow Kyari another opportunity to appear, citing reports that he was receiving medical treatment in Germany. However, several lawmakers opposed the request, insisting that any claim of illness should be backed by official documentation.

Leading the opposition, Abdul Ningi argued that verbal explanations for Kyari’s absence were inadequate. Victor Umeh subsequently moved a motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest.

The motion was seconded by Peter Nwaebonyi, who said the committee could no longer afford delays after multiple hearings on the matter.

“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 queries raised against NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation,” Nwaebonyi said, adding that the panel needed to conclude its work and report back to the Senate.

Following a voice vote, committee members overwhelmingly backed the motion.

Committee Chairman Ibrahim Dankwambo then directed security agencies to arrest Kyari and bring him before the panel.

The development comes amid increasing scrutiny of NNPCL’s finances and follows recent investigations involving former senior officials of the state-owned energy company.

Meanwhile, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajiya Isa rejected claims that ₦210 trillion was missing from the company’s accounts.

Isa argued that the figure exceeded NNPCL’s total revenue during the period under review, stating that the company generated approximately ₦54.5 trillion between 2017 and 2023.

“To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the confidence to publish audited accounts,” he said.

He also dismissed allegations that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPC Limited, describing the claim as false and harmful to both the company and Nigeria’s reputation.

Isa warned that unsubstantiated allegations could negatively affect the country’s standing with international rating agencies and investors.

The committee directed Isa and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer Bala Wunti to return in two weeks as the investigation continues.