By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to direct the National Assembly to publicly identify officials implicated in the alleged ₦210 trillion discrepancies in the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a letter dated March 21, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on the Senate’s Public Accounts Committee to publish the names and designations of all those under investigation, regardless of their political or social status.
SERAP also demanded the immediate disclosure of key documents relating to the ongoing probe, including audit reports, financial records, official communications, and a clear timeline for the appearance of implicated individuals and the conclusion of the investigation.
The Senate committee is currently investigating audit findings covering the period from 2017 to 2023, which reportedly indicate about ₦210 trillion in unreconciled or unexplained entries in NNPCL’s accounts. The figures are said to include roughly ₦103 trillion in joint venture and operational costs, and about ₦107 trillion classified as receivables, subsidies, and other obligations.
The organisation stressed that transparency is crucial to the probe’s credibility, warning that failure to disclose details fully could create the impression of political interference or a cover-up.
“Full disclosure of the ongoing investigation is essential to ensure transparency, prevent political interference, and allow Nigerians to scrutinise the facts independently,” SERAP said.
It expressed concern over delays in the process, noting that several officials invited by the committee have reportedly failed to appear or provide satisfactory explanations. According to SERAP, such setbacks risk undermining public confidence and may lead to the loss or distortion of critical evidence.
The group maintained that publishing the identities of those implicated would reinforce accountability and demonstrate that no individual is above the law.
SERAP further called for the release of the full records of the committee’s proceedings, including minutes, submissions, and evidence presented, to ensure openness and enable Nigerians to assess the integrity of the process independently.
It also urged the Senate to clarify the scope, methodology, and terms governing the investigation, arguing that without such information, the public would be unable to determine whether the probe is comprehensive and impartial.
“The scale of the alleged discrepancies, combined with longstanding concerns about opacity in NNPCL’s operations, underscores the urgency of a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation,” the organisation stated.
SERAP warned that delaying or politicising the matter would weaken trust in public institutions and risk normalising impunity in the management of national resources.
The group gave the Senate a seven-day deadline to act on its recommendations or face legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
Citing constitutional and international obligations, SERAP noted that public institutions are required to ensure accountability, prevent corruption, and safeguard national wealth.
“The Nigerian people deserve to know how their resources are managed. Anything short of full transparency undermines public trust and increases the risk of financial mismanagement going unchecked,” the organisation added.
