During the sitting, Senators Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye appealed for caution, urging the committee to grant Kyari another opportunity to appear, noting that he was reportedly ill and receiving treatment in Germany. But their plea was strongly opposed by other members of the committee, who insisted that the investigation must proceed without further delay and demanded the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
Senator Abdul Ningi argued that verbal excuses should not be accepted without documented proof of illness, a position later supported by Senator Victor Umeh, who formally moved the motion for Kyari’s arrest. Seconding the motion, Deputy Chairman Senator Peter Nwaebonyi warned that further delay would undermine the committee’s work.
“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 queries raised against NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, three of which were chaired by me,” Nwaebonyi said. “Mr Chairman, the time to issue a warrant of arrest against Mele Kyari is now because the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate.”
Oshiomhole’s “dead or alive” stance
Former Edo State Governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also argued that the Senate risked diminishing its authority if it failed to enforce compliance with its summons.
“Some people believe they are bigger than Nigeria. The law must be effective when it catches the lion, not only when it catches the rabbit,” he declared. He supported the arrest warrant for Kyari, urging that he must be brought before the committee dead or alive.
After a voice vote, Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo ruled that Kyari should be arrested and produced before the panel. “Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee,” he declared.
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