₦210 Trillion Vanishes Without A Trace — But ‘No Theft’, Senate Insists

According to NIVONEWS, this explanation was made during an investigative session on Thursday by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed (Nasarawa West). He emphasized that the committee is not accusing NNPCL of stealing the funds but is demanding accountability and clarity regarding the massive financial inconsistencies outlined in official audit findings.

The committee maintained that the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, must personally appear before the panel to explain the discrepancies and respond to other pending audit queries. The lawmakers rejected any representation on his behalf, notably from Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dapo Segun, who had attempted to address the committee in Ojulari’s absence. Segun cited the GCEO’s attendance at an OPEC meeting in Vienna as the reason for his absence.

However, according to NIVONEWS, several senators expressed strong displeasure at Ojulari’s repeated non-appearance. Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) criticized NNPCL for taking the committee for granted and warned that honoring Senate summons is a constitutional duty. “This is not optional. Ojulari must choose between OPEC and the Nigerian Senate,” Ningi declared.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) echoed the frustration, stating, “No one is above the law. If the GCEO believes he’s too important to appear before the Senate, then he has no business in public service.” He added that if Ojulari fails to honor the next summons, the committee would resort to compulsion.

Chairman Wadada reaffirmed that the Senate’s position is not about targeting individuals but fulfilling its constitutional duty of enforcing transparency. “We are simply asking NNPCL to account for the ₦210 trillion flagged in the audit reports. We’re not claiming the money was stolen, but it must be explained,” he said.

According to NIVONEWS, the committee insisted that a new appearance date would be communicated to the NNPCL chief, and his attendance at that session would be non-negotiable.

In a separate development during Thursday’s plenary, the Senate also announced the replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) as Chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations. She was replaced by Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC, Akwa Ibom North), following her suspension over gross misconduct.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the change, stating it took effect immediately. Senator Natasha had earlier announced plans to return to plenary based on a court ruling. However, recent judgments have upheld her six-month suspension and imposed a ₦5 million fine for contempt, along with a directive for her to issue public apologies.

The Senate’s action underscores ongoing tensions between legal decisions and internal disciplinary processes within the National Assembly.