The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has once again failed to honour summons by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, prompting stern warnings from lawmakers over what they described as an unacceptable affront to the authority of the National Assembly.
Ojulari was expected to appear before the committee on Thursday to respond to 11 critical financial queries raised in NNPCL’s audited financial statements. These queries relate to unaccounted funds totalling a staggering ₦200 trillion.
Instead of appearing in person, Ojulari sent a delegation of representatives to the hearing, a move firmly rejected by the committee.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada, stated that only the NNPCL GCEO can address the issues in question, emphasising that Ojulari’s continued absence demonstrates a “direct affront” to the legislative arm of government and a breach of its constitutional oversight functions.
The committee is currently probing discrepancies in NNPCL’s financial records, which have raised significant concerns about accountability, transparency, and the management of public resources within the national oil company.
The Senate had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to the NNPCL chief, warning that failure to comply could trigger the invocation of its constitutional powers, including the imposition of sanctions.
Wadada confirmed that a new date will be communicated for Ojulari’s compulsory appearance before the committee, stressing that the legislative body is prepared to enforce its oversight authority to the fullest extent permitted by the law.
It will be recalled that a letter dated June 25, 2025, signed by NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, was read during the last session. The letter cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to collate the necessary documents and prepare responses.
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