By Steven Atokolo
The Senate on Thursday distanced itself from the warrant of arrest issued by its Committee on Public Accounts against former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
The upper chamber also dissociated itself from comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), who described the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves” during an investigative session held by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts with members of the former management team of the national oil company on Wednesday.
The Public Accounts Committee, had continued its investigation into audit queries raised against the NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation in reports covering 2017 to 2023. During the session with former top management officials of the company, Oshiomhole, a member of the committee, made the controversial remarks, while the committee also resolved to issue a warrant of arrest against Kyari.
However, less than 24 hours later, the Senate in plenary disowned both the committee’s action and Oshiomhole’s comments.
The Senate’s repudiation followed a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) raising a point of order on urgent national importance.
Bamidele said there was a need to “preserve the institutional authority of the Senate, ensure compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, and uphold the principles of fair hearing, due process and parliamentary impartiality in oversight proceedings”.
According to him, any oversight or investigative activity carried out by Senate committees under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) must be conducted in line 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 further argued that the “purported warrant of arrest” issued against Kyari was affected 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 “group of criminals and thieves.
“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.
“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,” he stated.
Bamidele’s position received strong support from Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, Senator Adamu Aliero, who described Oshiomhole’s comments as “reckless” and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who urged that Oshiomhole be asked to withdraw the remarks.
Responding, Oshiomhole said he made the comments under extreme provocation following remarks he considered disparaging to the Senate and its members by the former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, Alhaji Umar Ajiya, during the investigative session.
Consequently, the Senate resolved to dissociate itself from statements attributed to Senator Oshiomhole describing the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” clarifying that such remarks do not represent the official position, opinion or determination of the Senate.
The Senate also nullified the purported warrant of arrest issued by the Public Accounts Committee on June 10, 2026, against Mele Kyari. It further urged all committees and senators to exercise restraint in public comments relating to ongoing investigations and to avoid statements capable of prejudicing proceedings or suggesting conclusions on matters yet to be determined by the appropriate authorities.
