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Senate fumes as Ojulari skips appearance over unaccounted trillions
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Lawmakers accuse NNPCL of undermining legislative authority
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Fresh summons issued after CFO’s retreat excuse rejected
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, has once again failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to account for N210 trillion in unverified funds.
Despite a 10-day ultimatum, Ojulari sent representatives to Thursday’s hearing — a move outrightly rejected by the lawmakers.
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Senator Aliyu Wadada, chairman of the committee, described the GCEO’s absence as “a direct affront to the National Assembly and a blatant violation of its oversight mandate.”
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At the heart of the standoff are 11 damning queries raised in NNPCL’s audited accounts between 2017 and 2023. The Senate is demanding answers on how trillions of naira in public funds were handled by the state oil company during the period.
“The Nigerian Senate will not tolerate further contempt. Mr. Ojulari must appear in person,” Wadada warned, adding that a fresh date will be announced for the embattled NNPCL boss to appear.
Retreat Excuse Rejected
NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Dapo Segun, earlier told the committee that the GCEO and management were attending a company retreat and could not honour the Senate’s invitation.
But lawmakers dismissed the explanation, insisting that Ojulari’s physical appearance is non-negotiable.
