ABUJA, NIGERIA — A shouting match between Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi and Senator Tony Nwoye threw the Senate Public Accounts Committee into disorder. The confrontation disrupted proceedings during an investigation into the financial statements and operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) spanning 2017 to 2023.
The legislative row erupted during a debate over the failure of former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, to appear before the panel to answer 19 audit queries regarding an alleged ₦210 trillion discrepancy.
Medical Excuse Triggers Accusations
The session took a turn when Senator Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) intervened to appeal for patience from the committee. Nwoye informed the lawmakers that he had communicated with Kyari, adding that the former oil boss was currently in Germany receiving medical treatment and had promised to appear upon his return.
Before Nwoye could finish his submission, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) cut him off, dismissing the excuse as a tactic to evade accountability. Nwebonyi maintained that Kyari’s continued absence showed disregard for the Senate.
“You are not Kyari’s lawyer!” Nwebonyi fired at Nwoye, raising the temperature in the room.
Shouting Match Derails Proceedings
The remark provoked a reaction from Nwoye, who denied holding brief for the former NNPCL chief.
“I am not holding brief for Mele Kyari,” Nwoye shouted back. “I am duty-bound to bring this information to the committee. The decision on whether to issue a warrant of arrest is entirely for this committee to make!”
The exchange devolved into an uproar, with several lawmakers yelling simultaneously, forcing the Committee Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, to intervene to restore order. The confrontation paralyzed the hearing as senators debated whether a health-related absence should delay oversight.
Arrest Warrant Approved Despite Drama
Once calm was restored, the committee addressed the core issue. Lawmakers rejected the medical excuse and voted to issue a warrant for Kyari’s arrest.
Supporting the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) insisted that the committee must enforce its authority regardless of the suspect’s status.
Despite the disruption, the panel proceeded with the agenda, taking testimonies from former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajiya and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer Bala Wunti. Both executives defended the state oil firm’s records, arguing that the ₦210 trillion figure was a misconception of accounting entries.
