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The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have commended the Senate Public Accounts Committee for ordering the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, over his alleged failure to honour invitations issued in connection with ongoing investigations into audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
In a joint press statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary of the CNCSOs, the two organisations described the Senate’s decision as a significant demonstration of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers.
According to the statement, “The decision of the Senate Committee represents a significant affirmation of the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly and sends a strong message that no public official, past or present, is above accountability under the law.”
The groups noted that concerns surrounding the management of the nation’s petroleum resources under Kyari’s leadership had remained a major subject of public discourse for years.
They stated that “numerous allegations relating to financial management, transparency, procurement processes, crude oil accounting, refinery rehabilitation expenditures, fuel subsidy administration, and other matters associated with the operations of the NNPCL under the leadership of Mallam Mele Kyari have dominated public discourse.”
While emphasizing that the allegations remain unproven and subject to investigation, the organisations observed that the issues had generated “widespread public concern and sustained demands for thorough, independent, and transparent scrutiny.”
The statement expressed concern over Kyari’s reported failure to appear before the Senate committee despite the seriousness of the audit queries under investigation.
“It is therefore disturbing that despite the seriousness of the audit queries reportedly identified by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and despite repeated invitations by the Senate Public Accounts Committee, Mallam Kyari has allegedly failed to appear before lawmakers to provide explanations and clarifications on issues of significant public interest,” the statement said.
According to the organisations, available records indicate that the Senate Committee commenced detailed scrutiny of NNPCL accounts following audit observations covering multiple years and subsequently invited former officials, including Kyari, to assist in resolving outstanding questions arising from the audit process.
The groups stated that “rather than providing the necessary cooperation expected of a former chief executive of a strategic national institution, the former NNPCL boss reportedly failed to appear before the committee on multiple occasions, culminating in the recent order directing security agencies to produce him before the lawmakers.”
The CNPP and CNCSOs stressed that accountability remains fundamental to democratic governance and that public officials have an obligation to account for their stewardship whenever called upon by competent authorities.
“Public officers entrusted with the management of national resources owe Nigerians a duty to account for their stewardship whenever called upon by constitutionally empowered institutions,” they stated.
The organisations also raised concerns about what they described as a widespread public perception regarding the pace of investigations into issues surrounding the management of petroleum resources.
“We are particularly concerned by the widespread perception among Nigerians that anti-corruption agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have not demonstrated sufficient urgency in investigating several allegations and concerns surrounding the management of the nation’s petroleum resources during the relevant period,” the statement read.
The groups added that whether such perceptions were justified or not, they highlighted the need for “transparent, professional, and impartial investigations capable of restoring public confidence in our institutions.”
Consequently, the CNPP and CNCSOs called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that relevant security and law-enforcement agencies provide the necessary support to enforce lawful directives connected with the ongoing investigations.
“Consequently, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to ensure that all relevant security and law enforcement agencies provide the necessary support required to enforce lawful directives issued in connection with the ongoing investigations,” the statement said.
The organisations further urged the Federal Government to consider lawful international mechanisms should credible information indicate that the former NNPCL chief is outside Nigeria.
“Where credible information indicates that Mallam Mele Kyari is outside the country and unavailable to honour the summons of constitutionally empowered authorities, the Federal Government should explore all lawful international cooperation mechanisms available under Nigerian and international law, including engagement through INTERPOL and relevant bilateral arrangements, for the sole purpose of securing his appearance before competent investigative and oversight authorities,” the groups stated.
The statement emphasized that their position should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against Kyari.
“Our position is not a declaration of guilt. Rather, it is a demand for accountability, transparency, and respect for democratic institutions,” the organisations declared.
They further maintained that “every citizen, regardless of status, influence, or former office held, must be prepared to answer legitimate questions regarding the management of public resources.”
The groups also urged the Senate Public Accounts Committee to remain “steadfast, professional, and non-partisan” in carrying out its constitutional mandate.
In addition, they called on anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant institutions, to ensure that “all allegations, audit observations, and financial queries concerning the management of public resources are diligently investigated and appropriately resolved in accordance with the law.”
Concluding the statement, the organisations reiterated their demand for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
“The Nigerian people deserve full transparency. They deserve answers to all legitimate audit queries. They deserve accountability from all who have managed public resources on their behalf,” the statement concluded.
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