FORMER Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has described as “deeply shocking” the decision of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to issue an arrest warrant against him over its ongoing investigation into the company’s financial records.
In a letter sighted by News Point Nigeria and addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts just hours after the arrest order was issued, Kyari explained that he had previously informed the committee of his inability to appear before it because he was undergoing medical treatment abroad.
“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 disclosed that he had formally notified the committee in a letter dated May 11, 2026, that he was receiving medical treatment outside Nigeria.
According to him, he also informed lawmakers of his willingness to honour the committee’s invitation immediately upon his return and offered to respond to any urgent questions through his legal representatives while away.
“I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria,” he said.
“I wish to reiterate that I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the Committee and to appear before it once I return to the country.”
The former NNPCL chief rejected suggestions that he deliberately ignored the Senate’s summons, insisting that he had not received any subsequent invitation 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.
Kyari explained that his current health condition makes it impossible for him to physically appear before the committee at this time and urged lawmakers to channel any questions, requests for clarification or urgent matters through his legal team while he continues treatment abroad.
He assured the committee of his full cooperation with the investigation and pledged to appear personally before lawmakers once his health permits.
Defending his stewardship at the national oil company, Kyari said the management team under his leadership transformed the NNPCL from a loss-making organisation into a commercially viable and profitable enterprise.
He further maintained that all transactions carried out during his tenure were properly documented and remain available for scrutiny by relevant authorities.
“I remain deeply grateful to my country for the opportunity afforded me to serve with utmost diligence and commitment,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had earlier issued the arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before it during a scheduled sitting.
The committee is currently investigating the financial records and transactions of the NNPCL, including issues relating to more than ₦210 trillion in financial entries and transactions said to be under review.
The motion seeking the arrest warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Despite the development, Kyari maintained that he has nothing to hide and remains committed to assisting the Senate in its efforts to unravel the issues surrounding the NNPCL’s finances.
According to him, he remains ready to cooperate fully with the investigation and will honour the committee’s invitation as soon as he returns to Nigeria and is medically fit to do so.