Senate Voids Kyari Arrest Warrant, Rebukes Oshiomhole Over 'House of Thieves' Remarks

The Nigerian Senate has nullified a warrant of arrest issued by its Committee on Public Accounts against former NNPCL boss Mele Kyari, declaring that the committee overstepped its constitutional authority, while also formally dissociating itself from Senator Adams Oshiomhole's controversial description of the national oil company as "a bunch of criminals and thieves."

The Senate on Thursday moved to protect its institutional integrity and reaffirm adherence to constitutional procedures by nullifying a warrant of arrest purportedly issued by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) against a former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari.

The motion, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, also formally dissociated the Senate from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who reportedly described the NNPCL as "a bunch of criminals and thieves" during a Public Accounts Committee hearing earlier on Wednesday.

The drama began following a heated session on Wednesday during an investigative hearing into 19 audit queries raised against the NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation in audited financial statements covering 2017 to 2023.

The former NNPC boss is a central figure in a probe into unresolved audit queries involving a staggering ₦210 trillion contained in the company's audited accounts between 2017 and 2023.

Lawmakers expressed frustration that Mr Kyari had failed to honour the committee's invitations for the ninth consecutive time.

The motion seeking the issuance of the arrest warrant was moved by Senator Victor Umeh and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the committee's hearing.

It was during this heated session that Senator Oshiomhole launched a blistering verbal attack on the national oil company, at one point telling a former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPC that the organisation's reputation is "for fraud" and that it is "a house of thieves" where people want their children to work so they can benefit from it.

The clarification came during Thursday's plenary session in Abuja through a point of order raised by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. Citing Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate standing rules, Bamidele argued forcefully that the authority to issue any warrant compelling the attendance of a witness before the Senate or any of its committees is vested exclusively in the Senate President.

Bamidele warned that any attempt by a Senate committee to independently issue or execute a warrant of arrest without authorisation from the Senate President could amount to an unlawful exercise of power. He stated that "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."

Following deliberations, lawmakers resolved that the purported warrant issued by the Public Accounts Committee should be discountenanced, insisting that the committee had acted beyond its powers.

The Senate also affirmed that remarks allegedly made by Oshiomhole during the hearing do not represent the official position, findings, resolutions or opinion of the chamber.

Contributing to the debate, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the Public Accounts Committee had exceeded its mandate. "I want to commend the Leader for performing his duty. Issuing warrants is what the Senate President should do. The committee overstepped its bounds. We should take this as a lesson," he said.

Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno said the legislature must always be seen to operate within the confines of the law. "The Senate, being the highest lawmaking body in this country, should not only be seen to be above board, but should be seen manifestly to be above board in conducting its constitutional roles," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro urged lawmakers to avoid comments that could be interpreted as attacks on the character of public officials.

In his defence, Oshiomhole recalled: "We sat here and took a decision regarding the alleged missing ₦210 trillion. We were informed that Mele Kyari refused to appear before the committee. What brought us here in the first place was the allegation that NNPC's approved auditors could not account for the funds, according to the Auditor-General's report."

His remarks were interrupted when the Senate Chief Whip raised a point of order, urging him to confine his comments to the matter before the chamber.

Mele Kyari has reacted to the arrest warrant, denying allegations that he deliberately avoided the ongoing investigation into the company's financial records.

In a letter addressed to the committee chairman, Kyari described the arrest warrant as "deeply shocking," insisting that he had formally notified the panel of his inability to attend due to medical treatment abroad. He said a letter dated May 11, 2026, was sent to the committee informing lawmakers of his health condition and his willingness to appear before the panel upon his return to Nigeria.

The former NNPCL boss maintained that he remains fully committed to cooperating with the investigation and would appear in person once medically cleared to travel.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged concerns raised by senators regarding conduct during committee hearings and announced plans to meet with members of the Public Accounts Committee. "I would like to see the Committee on Public Accounts, the Chairman and all the members. I will communicate a date to them next week so that I can have a discussion with them."

Lawmakers reiterated the Senate's commitment to the principles of fair hearing, due process, parliamentary objectivity, institutional neutrality and the presumption of innocence, stressing that the determination of criminal liability remains the exclusive responsibility of courts of competent jurisdiction.