Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, finally appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday to answer questions over alleged financial irregularities involving the company.

Kyari arrived at Hearing Room 4 of the National Assembly accompanied by a team of oil company officials, months after lawmakers threatened to use their constitutional powers to compel him to appear.

The Senate is investigating alleged financial discrepancies and outstanding audit queries in NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023, involving more than N210 trillion.

The investigation began after the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation forwarded several audit queries to the committee, prompting lawmakers to demand explanations from Kyari and other former officials of the company.

The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, had earlier threatened to take steps to ensure Kyari appeared before it following his alleged failure to respond to several invitations.

The decision followed a motion by Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, as members expressed concern over what they described as repeated efforts to delay the investigation.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole also called for Kyari’s arrest, accusing the former NNPCL chief of failing to account for the alleged financial mismanagement during his time in office.

The former Edo State governor insisted that Kyari should appear personally rather than send representatives, arguing that he must explain how the company’s finances were managed under his leadership.

However, the Senate later clarified that its committees could not independently issue or enforce arrest warrants without following the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the Senate President’s express approval.

The Senate also distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” saying the statement did not represent the official position of the upper legislative chamber.