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…Nullifies Kyari’s Arrest Warrant
…Dissociates Self From Oshiomhole’s ‘Thieves’ Remark On NNPCL
ABUJA – The Senate on Wednesday approved a three-month extension of the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, moving the deadline from June 30 to September 30, 2026, to enable Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) complete ongoing projects and fully utilise funds already released.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Senate Majority Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, after the chamber suspended its Standing Rules to allow for its immediate consideration.
Leading the debate, Monguno said the extension became necessary because a substantial portion of funds released for capital projects had yet to be utilised due to procurement procedures, project execution delays and other administrative bottlenecks.
According to him, the 2025 Appropriation Act was enacted to finance government programmes and projects aimed at stimulating economic growth, improving infrastructure, strengthening national security and enhancing the welfare of Nigerians.
He noted that despite significant releases made by the Federal Government to MDAs for approved projects and programmes, a considerable percentage of the funds remained unspent.
“Despite substantial releases made by the Federal Government to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the execution of approved projects and programmes, a significant proportion of the first release remains unutilised due to procurement timelines, project implementation challenges and other administrative processes,” he said.
Monguno warned that allowing the June 30 deadline to stand could jeopardise several critical projects that are already at advanced stages of completion.
“A number of strategic capital projects across critical sectors of the economy are at advanced stages of completion and require additional time for execution, certification and payment,” he added.
He further stressed that failure to grant the extension could lead to the abandonment of key projects, wastage of public funds already committed and disruption of ongoing government interventions. Following deliberations, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, put the motion to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from lawmakers.
Senate Nullifies Kyari’s Arrest Warrant
The Senate on Thursday dramatically distanced itself from comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” while also nullifying a warrant of arrest earlier issued against former Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mallam Mele Kyari.
In a development that exposed sharp divisions over legislative oversight procedures and the conduct of investigations into the state oil company, the red chamber adopted a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, affirming that only the President of the Senate has the legal authority to issue warrants compelling witnesses to appear before the Senate or any of its committees.
The resolution effectively voided the warrant earlier announced by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts against Kyari over alleged failure to honour invitations relating to audit queries involving over N210 trillion in NNPCL accounts between 2017 and 2023.
The Senate’s action came after an extensive debate in which lawmakers stressed the need to protect the integrity of the legislature, uphold due process and avoid prejudicial statements capable of undermining public confidence in ongoing investigations.
Moving the motion, Bamidele argued that Sections 88 and 89 of the constitution confer investigative powers on the National Assembly but that such powers must be exercised strictly within the framework of the law.
He specifically cited Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, maintaining that the authority to issue warrants compelling attendance of witnesses rests exclusively with the President of the Senate and not with any committee acting independently.
According to him, while Senate committees possess significant investigative authority, they derive their powers solely from the Senate and cannot exercise powers beyond those expressly delegated to them.
Bamidele warned that any attempt by a committee to issue or execute a warrant of arrest without the approval of the Senate President could expose Senate proceedings to legal challenges and cast doubts on the institution’s adherence to due process.
The Senate Leader also expressed concern over comments attributed to Oshiomhole during the Public Accounts Committee hearing, where the former Edo State governor reportedly described NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves.”
He argued that such statements, if left unchallenged, could be interpreted by the public as the official position of the Senate and potentially prejudice ongoing investigations. “The Senate remains bound by the principles of natural justice, fairness, parliamentary responsibility, objectivity and the rule of law,” Bamidele said.
He stressed that no individual or institution should be presumed guilty before the completion of investigations or a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin described Bamidele’s intervention as timely and necessary. Senator Abba Moro warned that legislative oversight should never degenerate into public trials.
One of the strongest criticisms came from former Abia State governor and Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Kalu described Oshiomhole’s characterisation of NNPCL as “reckless” and potentially damaging to Nigeria’s economic interests. After exhaustive deliberations, the Senate adopted all major prayers contained in Bamidele’s motion through voice votes.
Among the resolutions passed were: Affirmation that only the President of the Senate can issue warrants compelling attendance before Senate committees. Declaration that no committee may independently issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest.
Formal dissociation of the Senate from Oshiomhole’s comments describing NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”, among others. In his concluding remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio sought to calm tensions and steer the matter toward resolution.
He commended the Senate Leader for clarifying the legal position and acknowledged that public perception of the controversy had created the impression that the Senate had officially branded NNPCL a criminal organisation. Akpabio said the Senate’s resolutions had now corrected that impression.
