Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has once again failed to attend the Senate Committee on Public Accounts meeting, despite a 10-day deadline given to address unaccounted funds totaling ₦200 trillion.
Instead of appearing personally, he sent representatives to the hearing on Thursday. However, the committee refused to engage with the delegation, reiterating that only Ojulari could address the 11 significant financial concerns highlighted in the company’s audit reports.
Lawmakers criticized Ojulari’s ongoing absence as an affront to the National Assembly’s authority and a violation of its oversight role. Committee chair Aliyu Wadada warned that the Senate would not accept any further disregard and would set a new date for the NNPCL CEO to appear in person.
Previously, the Senate had warned that inadequate responses to its summons could lead to the exercise of its constitutional powers, including potential sanctions. The public accounts committee is investigating major discrepancies in NNPCL’s financial records, which lawmakers believe raise critical issues of accountability and transparency.
