ABUJA: he Senate has distanced itself from claims that former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, is under an official arrest warrant over the ongoing investigation into the alleged N210 trillion financial discrepancy, while also rebuking Senator Adams Oshiomhole for describing the state oil company as a bunch of criminals and thieves.
The Red Chamber clarified on Thursday that Oshiomhole’s comments do not represent the official position of the Senate and stressed that no Senate committee has the authority to issue or execute a warrant of arrest without following the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtaining the approval of the Senate President.
The clarification followed a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during plenary, barely 24 hours after reports emerged that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had recommended the arrest of Kyari for allegedly failing to honour invitations over the N210tn query.
Bamidele warned that any committee acting independently to issue or execute a warrant without proper authorisation would be exceeding its powers.
The power to issue a warrant affecting the liberty of a citizen is an extraordinary statutory power which must be exercised strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law, he said.
He further noted that constitutional provisions on fair hearing and the presumption of innocence require that no individual or institution should be declared guilty outside a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to him, comments made by lawmakers, if left unchecked, could be misconstrued by Nigerians and the international community as the official position of the Senate, thereby undermining confidence in legislative oversight activities.
Following deliberations, senators adopted a resolution formally dissociating the upper chamber from Oshiomhole’s comments and clarified that the remarks neither reflected the findings nor the position of the Senate.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin backed the motion, insisting that Senate committees are subordinate to the chamber and can only make recommendations rather than exercise powers reserved for the Senate itself.
The committee overstepped its bounds, and he has done the right thing by drawing attention to it, Barau said, adding that legislative activities must always comply with constitutional provisions and Senate rules.
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the motion as necessary to preserve the credibility of the National Assembly.
The Senate, being the highest law-making body of the country, should not only be above board but should be seen manifestly to be above board,” he stated.
Senator Abba Moro urged lawmakers to avoid comments capable of damaging reputations, warning that Nigerians closely monitor proceedings in the chamber.
Former Kebbi State governor and senator, Adamu Aliero, strongly criticised Oshiomhole’s comments, saying such remarks could hurt Nigeria’s image and discourage foreign investors.
The NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Such reckless statements send wrong signals to outsiders and can jeopardise foreign direct investment,” Aliero said.
Former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, also defended the strategic importance of the NNPCL to Nigeria’s economy and urged Oshiomhole to withdraw the comments.
It is not good for any committee or individual to criminalise a big company like NNPC. Our future lies in this country. We have no other country than Nigeria,” Kalu stated.
Responding, Oshiomhole defended his comments, saying they were made after lawmakers came under attack from officials of the oil company.
I acted under provocation because distinguished members were being attacked without any proof of the allegations being made,” he explained.
The former Edo State governor said he had no intention of bringing the Senate into disrepute and expressed willingness to apologise if the Senate considered it necessary.
He argued that his reaction stemmed from accusations that senators lacked patriotism and from claims that lawmakers influenced recruitment within the NNPCL.
Oshiomhole also recalled that the Senate had previously debated issues arising from the Auditor-General’s report on the alleged N210tn discrepancy and questioned why his name was being singled out in the controversy.
His comments were interrupted after the Senate Chief Whip raised a point of order, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to restore calm and remind lawmakers that the debate was strictly about Oshiomhole’s remarks and the issue of due process regarding the alleged arrest warrant.
The latest development came hours after reports surfaced that Kyari, through a letter dated May 8, 2026, indicated that he was outside the country undergoing critical medical treatment.
The letter began circulating shortly after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly recommended his arrest in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged N210 trillion discrepancy.
