Senate has issued fresh ultimatum to Bayo Ojulari over missing NNPCL’s N210 trillion.
For yet another time, the Nigerian Senate has turned up the heat on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) ably led by Bayo Ojulari, issuing a stern ultimatum over the corporation’s failure to account for N210 trillion flagged in its audited financial records.
During a tense session on Wednesday, the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) accused NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, of defying legislative oversight, ignoring multiple summons, and treating the National Assembly with contempt.
Committee Chairman Aliyu Wadada declared that the company was given 10 working days to respond to 11 audit queries, including a N103 trillion unexplained expense. Wadada warned:
“This is no longer a plea. We have the constitutional power to summon, arrest, prosecute, and expose. If you’re too big to respect the Constitution, consider relocating.”
The committee had previously granted a seven-day grace period, which elapsed without response.
Alongside the NNPCL standoff, the Senate ruled on two emotionally charged public petitions. First, lawmakers demanded N200 million compensation for the Omhonria family, whose 2-year-old son, Onosereba, was killed by a stray bullet fired by NDLEA operatives during a raid in Okpanam, Delta State, in July 2023.
A Senate report confirmed that the bullet, which also critically injured the boy’s baby brother Eromosele, came from NDLEA agents. The agency had offered N25 million in compensation, but the Senate deemed the offer inadequate and demanded full medical coverage, including potential overseas treatment.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole condemned the killing:
“No amount of money can replace a child. But wearing a uniform doesn’t give you the right to kill.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio added:
“This Senate stands for life and accountability.”
In another ruling, the Senate upheld the dismissal of WAEC official Sandra Nimi Harry, who was found guilty of aiding exam malpractice. Harry, with 31 years of service, allegedly facilitated the swapping of answer sheets for absentee candidates during a 2023 exam in Port Harcourt. While the Ethics Committee had recommended clemency, the Senate rejected it, citing the gravity of the offence.
Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, a probe is underway into alleged financial mismanagement within the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Lawmakers are examining issues ranging from fund diversion to abuse of process in the student loan scheme.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas opened the public hearing by affirming the House’s commitment to protect the integrity of one of Nigeria’s most crucial education initiatives.
“This investigation is both a constitutional duty and a moral responsibility. The trust of Nigerian students and their families must not be betrayed,” he said.
The House’s investigation was triggered by a motion moved by Aliyu Mustapha, representing Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency. Four committees are overseeing the probe.