The Senate, on Thursday, declared the warrant of arrest issued against former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, null and void, ruling that the action was not in accordance with established Senate rules and procedures.

The decision followed a Point of Order raised by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who argued that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts lacked the authority to order the arrest of any government official or head of a public institution.

Bamidele also took exception to comments allegedly made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the committee's proceedings, in which he stated that the NNPCL had no reputation left to protect. The Senate Leader described the remarks as unprecedented and inconsistent with parliamentary standards.

Several senators supported Bamidele's position, maintaining that the NNPCL remains Nigeria's foremost revenue-generating enterprise and should not be portrayed in a manner capable of eroding public confidence in the organization.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu said it was unacceptable to criminalize the NNPCL, describing the company as the lifeblood of Nigeria's economy. Similarly, Senator Tahir Monguno faulted the comments attributed to Oshiomhole, insisting that criticism of the institution should be measured and based on verified facts.

In his defence, Oshiomhole expressed disappointment that attention was being focused on his remarks rather than the substantive issues raised during the investigation. He argued that the committee's inquiry into allegations of over ₦210 trillion in unaccounted funds remained the central issue and accused the NNPCL of showing disrespect to the Senate despite its status as one of the country's wealthiest public enterprises.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed that the warrant be set aside and assured lawmakers that the NNPCL would continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities.