The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has given the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, 10 working days to respond to financial queries involving over N200 trillion.
The committee, led by Senator Aliyu Wadada, issued the directive on Thursday after rejecting a request from NNPCL for a two-month extension to address the issues.
According to the committee, the financial discrepancies cover the years 2017 to 2023 and involve unexplained receivables and undocumented legal and audit fees.
Wadada said the committee would not tolerate any delay in matters relating to public funds.
“We have given them 10 working days. Any attempt to disregard this committee’s directive will amount to contempt of the Senate. We are here to protect public funds and we will not be deterred,” the senator said.
The committee had earlier expressed deep concern over what it described as “mind-boggling” financial irregularities in NNPCL’s audited financial statements.
Wadada warned that failure to comply could lead to serious constitutional consequences as the Senate would be forced to exercise its oversight powers.
The deadline issued by the Senate expires on July 10.
