CNPP, CNCSOs back Senate move to arrest Mele Kyari, urge Tinubu to produce ex-NNPCL boss

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have thrown their weight behind the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s decision to order the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, over his alleged repeated failure to honour invitations connected to ongoing investigations into audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

They honour the summons of constitutionally empowered authorities, the Federal Government should explore all lawful international cooperation mechanisms available under Nigerian and international law, including engagement through INTERPOL and relevant bilateral arrangements, for the sole purpose of securing his appearance before competent investigative and oversight authorities,” the groups stated.

The organisations emphasized that their demand should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against the former NNPCL chief.

“Our position is not a declaration of guilt. Rather, it is a demand for accountability, transparency, and respect for democratic institutions,” they said.

The statement further stressed that “every citizen, regardless of status, influence, or former office held, must be prepared to answer legitimate questions regarding the management of public resources.”

The CNPP and CNCSOs also called on the Senate Public Accounts Committee to remain professional and impartial in the discharge of its constitutional mandate while urging anti-graft agencies to diligently investigate all outstanding financial queries and audit observations.

“The CNPP and CNCSOs therefore urge the Senate Public Accounts Committee to remain steadfast, professional, and non-partisan in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities,” the statement said.

The groups added that anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant institutions, must ensure that “all allegations, audit observations, and financial queries concerning the management of public resources are diligently investigated and appropriately resolved in accordance with the law.”

Concluding their statement, the organisations argued that Nigerians deserve full disclosure and accountability from those entrusted with public resources.

The Nigerian people deserve full transparency. They deserve answers to all legitimate audit queries. They deserve accountability from all who have managed public resources on their behalf,” the statement concluded.

“The Nigerian people deserve full transparency. They deserve answers to all legitimate audit queries. They deserve accountability from all who have managed public resources on their behalf,” the stat

ement concluded.