The Senate has nullified the arrest warrant earlier issued against former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, while also distancing itself from comments allegedly made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as “a bunch of criminals and thieves.”
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, aimed at protecting the integrity of the National Assembly and ensuring strict compliance with constitutional procedures.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate reaffirmed that no committee of the Red Chamber has the authority to independently issue or execute an arrest warrant. Lawmakers emphasized that such powers remain exclusively with the Senate President.
The development comes amid allegations that Kyari was avoiding an ongoing Senate investigation. However, the former NNPCL chief rejected the claims, stating that he had informed the committee through a letter dated May 11, 2026, that he was undergoing medical treatment outside Nigeria.
According to the Senate, all legislative oversight activities must be carried out within the framework of the Constitution, due process, and the principles of fair hearing.
Presenting the motion, Bamidele argued that while Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations, the authority to compel attendance through warrants is reserved for the presiding officer of the chamber.
He noted that provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act clearly assign such authority to the Senate President in matters relating to Senate proceedings and committee activities.
Bamidele warned that any committee acting independently to issue or enforce an arrest warrant without approval from the Senate President would be exceeding its legal 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 stressed that legislative investigations should not be treated as criminal trials and that no individual or institution should be presumed guilty before the conclusion of investigations or judicial proceedings.
“The constitutional doctrine of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence require that no person or institution be adjudged guilty except by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process of law,” Bamidele stated.
The Senate Leader also criticised Oshiomhole’s comments, saying that describing the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves” suggested criminal liability before the completion of any investigation.
According to him, such statements could be interpreted by the public as the official position of the Senate and potentially undermine confidence in the objectivity of legislative oversight.
“Such statements, if left unclarified, may be misconstrued by the public as representing the official position of the Senate and may undermine confidence in the impartiality and objectivity of ongoing legislative oversight proceedings,” he said.
Following deliberations, the Senate formally dissociated itself from the remarks, declaring that they do not reflect its official position or findings.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin backed the motion, noting that Senate committees are subordinate bodies that can only make recommendations and not exercise powers reserved for the full chamber.
He stated that the Public Accounts Committee had exceeded its authority.
“The committee overstepped its bounds, and he (Oshiomhole) has done the right thing by drawing attention to it,” Barau said.
Other lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Adamu Aliero and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, also supported the motion, urging restraint in public comments and stressing the importance of protecting the reputation of national institutions.
Aliero warned that such remarks could negatively affect investor confidence.
“The NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Such reckless statements send wrong signals to outsiders and can jeopardise foreign direct investment,” he said.
Kalu similarly urged caution, stating:
“It is not good for any committee or individual to criminalise a big company like the NNPC.”
“Our future lies in this country. We have no other country than Nigeria.”
Responding, Oshiomhole maintained that his comments were made under provocation during a Public Accounts Committee hearing.
The Edo North senator said he reacted to what he considered unfair conduct by NNPCL officials appearing before the committee over audit queries involving the company.
“I acted under provocation because distinguished senators were being attacked unjustly,” Oshiomhole said.
He added that he was defending the Senate’s integrity and had no intention of bringing the institution into disrepute.
At the end of the debate, the Senate adopted all eight prayers contained in the motion, including the cancellation of the purported arrest warrant against Kyari and a reaffirmation that only the Senate President can authorise warrants compelling attendance before Senate committees.
Meanwhile, Kyari insisted he was not evading the investigation and expressed surprise at the committee’s decision to issue a warrant.
“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.
The former NNPCL boss explained that he had not received any fresh invitation from the committee and reiterated his willingness to cooperate fully once he returns to Nigeria.
“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.”
Kyari also defended his tenure, stating that his administration transformed the company into a commercially viable and profitable organisation, with all transactions properly documented and available for scrutiny.
“I remain deeply grateful to my country for the opportunity afforded me to serve with utmost diligence and commitment,” he said.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee is currently investigating the financial records and transactions of the NNPCL, including issues linked to over ₦210 trillion reportedly under review.
