NNPCL CEO/MD, Bayo Ojulari
Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts for the fourth time, sparking outrage among lawmakers.
The committee is investigating an alleged N210 trillion in unaccounted expenditures flagged in the Auditor-General’s reports from 2017 to 2023.
Ojulari claimed he couldn’t attend due to an urgent invitation from President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday afternoon. However, committee members expressed skepticism about the genuineness of this reason, with some accusing him of thinking he’s above the National Assembly.
The committee, led by Senator Aliyu Wadada, has given Ojulari an ultimatum to appear before them by 3 p.m. on Wednesday or face potential sanctions, including an arrest warrant.
Senator Aminu Abbas emphasized that no CEO is above the law, while Senator Joel Thomas Onowakpo accused Ojulari of undermining the committee’s authority.
The senators are concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability in NNPCL’s financial dealings. They stressed that Ojulari’s absence is an affront to the National Assembly’s oversight role and that his explanation is unacceptable.
