NNPCL External Auditors Risk Arrest Over Senate Committee Snub

 

 

The Senate has issued a stern warning to the external auditors engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), threatening to invoke its constitutional powers—including the issuance of arrest warrants—should they fail to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) by the newly set deadline.

This follows the auditors’ failure to honour formal invitations to appear before the committee to clarify “contentious issues” in the NNPCL’s 2023 audited financial statements.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, SPAC Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa), expressed deep displeasure over the absence of representatives from all four auditing firms—SIAO, VWC, Muktali Dangana & Co, and Ahmed Zakaria & Co.

“It is completely unacceptable for professionals entrusted with public accountability to treat the Senate with such disregard,” Senator Wadada said.

Instead of appearing in person, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) showed up claiming to represent the firms—a move the committee immediately rejected as improper and in violation of the rules of legislative engagement.

“Only those directly responsible for preparing the audit reports are deemed fit to answer the committee’s questions. We found the SAN not fit and proper to represent the firms in this matter,” Wadada declared.

Threat of Sanctions

Citing its constitutional oversight mandate, the committee warned that if the auditors failed to appear by Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM, it would exercise its legal authority to compel their attendance.

“If they do not honour this final invitation, we will have no choice but to invoke the full weight of the law. The Nigerian public—and indeed the international community—deserves to know the truth,” Senator Wadada warned.

The committee underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public institutions, especially in light of increasing scrutiny on NNPCL’s financial activities since its transition to a limited liability company.

‘We Will Not Tolerate Evasion’

Committee member, Senator Saliu Mustapha, stressed the urgency of the matter, describing the audit questions as “sensitive issues that cannot be swept under the carpet.”

“Our duty as elected representatives of the Nigerian people is to demand full accountability. We will not tolerate continued evasion,” he said.

The committee’s concerns center around discrepancies in the NNPCL’s financial records, including potential irregularities that could carry significant implications for Nigeria’s oil revenue transparency and fiscal governance.

Final Warning

Reiterating its position, the Senate Committee made it clear that no further delays would be accepted.

“We are giving the auditors of NNPCL one final opportunity. They must appear before this committee on Tuesday next week. This is not a suggestion—it is a directive,” Senator Wadada said firmly.

The developments signal a deepening tension between the legislature and institutions charged with financial accountability, with the Senate signaling its readiness to pursue legal options to enforce compliance.