RismadarVoice Reporters, June 11, 2026
Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has criticised the Senate’s decision to declare former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, wanted over allegations linked to a multi-trillion-naira fraud investigation.
The Senate had reportedly taken the action after Kyari failed to honour several invitations issued by the upper legislative chamber concerning allegations of financial irregularities amounting to N210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
Lawmakers, citing his repeated absence, resolved on Wednesday to declare the former NNPCL chief wanted and ordered his arrest.
Reacting to the development, Sani described the Senate’s action as unfair, arguing that due process should have been fully observed before such a decision was taken.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, the former lawmaker noted that Kyari had previously demonstrated respect for invitations from the National Assembly and deserved a fair hearing regarding the reasons for his absence.
“Declaring Mele Kyari wanted by the Senate without properly considering the reasons for his absence is wrong,” Sani stated.
He urged lawmakers to exercise fairness and objectivity in handling the matter, stressing that public officials and former government appointees should be afforded due process during investigations.
The Senate has yet to respond to Sani’s comments, while the investigation into the allegations against the former NNPCL boss continues.
