By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts erupted in outrage Tuesday after the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari failed to appear for the fourth consecutive time.
The SPAC is probing the NNPCL management over damning audit queries involving N210 trillion unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023.
Ojulari, in a letter delivered by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, explained that a sudden presidential summons from President Bola Tinubu at 1:00 pm on Tuesday prevented his appearance before the Senate panel.
The committee, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed (Nasarawa West), expressed deep dissatisfaction with Ojulari’s repeated absences.
It insisted that he must appear in person on Wednesday by 3:00 pm or risk a warrant of arrest.
Wadada said, “This is the fourth time he’s avoiding us. The National Assembly is not an institution to be taken lightly.”
The committee is investigating audit reports from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, which have flagged massive financial discrepancies in the NNPCL accounts over six years.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) acknowledged the weight of a presidential invitation but warned against using the presidency as a recurring excuse.
“That President Tinubu called him is noted, but this shouldn’t become a shield against legislative oversight,” Umeh said.
Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South) went further, accusing Ojulari of blatant disregard for the legislature. “He acts like he’s above the law. If we don’t act now, he’ll never take us seriously.”
Echoing the frustration, Senator Aminu Abbas (Adamawa Central) demanded immediate action.
“No one is bigger than the National Assembly. He must appear tomorrow or we will compel him by law. The committee’s resolution is clear: Ojulari must appear before us on Wednesday, July 23, at 3 pm, or face a possible warrant of arrest.”
The probe continues to draw national attention as the Senate seeks accountability over trillions in public funds allegedly unaccounted for by the national oil company.
