N210trn: Senate distances itself from Kyari arrest warrant, Oshiomhole’s remarks on NNPCL

The Senate on Thursday distanced itself from the warrant of arrest issued by its Committee on Public Accounts against Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The upper chamber also dissociated itself from remarks made by Adams Oshiomhole, who described the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves” during an investigative session held by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday.

The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Ibrahim Dankwambo, had, in continuation of its investigation into queries raised against the NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation in audit reports covering 2017 to 2023, invited members of the former management team of the national oil company for questioning.

During the session, Oshiomhole, a member of the committee, made critical remarks about the company, while the committee also resolved to issue a warrant of arrest against Kyari over his failure to appear before it.

However, less than 24 hours later, the Senate, in plenary, repudiated both the committee’s action and the comments made by Oshiomhole.

The Senate’s position followed a motion raised under a point of order on urgent national importance by Opeyemi Bamidele.

Moving the motion, Bamidele said there was an urgent need to preserve the institutional authority of the Senate, ensure compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, and safeguard the principles of fair hearing, due process and parliamentary impartiality in oversight proceedings.

According to him, while Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations and oversight of government agencies, such powers must be exercised in accordance with the principles of natural justice, fairness, objectivity, parliamentary responsibility, decorum and respect for the rule of law.

“While the Senate possesses extensive investigative and oversight powers, such powers must be exercised in a manner that does not create the appearance of bias, prejudice, prejudgment, or predetermined conclusions regarding any person or institution under investigation,” he said.

Bamidele argued that the warrant of arrest issued against Kyari was tainted by procedural irregularities and should therefore be declared null and void. He also urged the Senate to discountenance Oshiomhole’s description of the NNPCL as a “bunch of criminals and thieves.”

He said, “Such procedural irregularities may expose Senate proceedings to avoidable legal challenges and diminish public confidence in the institution.

“The Senate is also concerned that statements suggesting the guilt or criminal culpability of any person or institution before the conclusion of investigations may prejudice proceedings and create the impression that conclusions have already been reached.”

He added, “Therefore, the Senate must at all times uphold the constitutional principles of due process, fair hearing, parliamentary neutrality and the rule of law in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities.”

Bamidele’s position received overwhelming support from Barau Jibrin, Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero and Orji Uzor Kalu.

Aliero described Oshiomhole’s comments as reckless, while Kalu specifically urged the Senate to compel Oshiomhole to withdraw the remarks.

Responding, Oshiomhole explained that his comments were made under what he described as extreme provocation during the hearing.

According to him, the remarks were triggered by statements allegedly made by Umar Ajiya, former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, which he considered disrespectful to the Senate and its members.

Following deliberations, the Senate formally dissociated itself from the remarks attributed to Oshiomhole.

The resolution stated that the Senate “disassociates itself from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the NNPCL, among other statements, as a bunch of criminals and thieves,” and clarified that such remarks “do not constitute the official position, opinion, or determination of the Senate.”

The chamber also nullified the warrant of arrest issued by the Public Accounts Committee against Kyari on June 10, 2026.

It further urged all Senate committees and lawmakers to exercise restraint in making public comments on matters under investigation.

The Senate warned members against making statements capable of prejudicing ongoing proceedings or creating the impression that conclusions had already been reached on matters yet to be determined by the appropriate authorities.

The development comes amid the Senate’s ongoing probe of alleged financial discrepancies and audit queries involving more than N210 trillion in the accounts of the NNPCL as contained in reports submitted by the Auditor-General for the Federation covering the period from 2017 to 2023.