Senate Under Fire For Apologising To Ex-NNPC GMD Kyari Over Missing N210trillion
Fiery human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has slammed the Nigerian Senate for allegedly apologising to former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, for summoning him to provide explanations on the alleged missing N210trillion from the national oil company.
Falana also demanded that the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government secure the immediate release of the schoolchildren and their teachers abducted from three schools in Oyo state, saying both issues reflect the deepening crisis of accountability and insecurity in the country.
Falana made the remarks on Friday while participating in the ongoing June 12 protest, during which he also condemned the worsening insecurity across the country.
Speaking at the protest, Falana decried the turmoil the Senate was thrown into a few days ago over questions about the NNPCL’s management of trillions of naira.
“Yesterday, the Senate of the Federal Republic was in turmoil because the NNPC has not been able to explain what happened to the sum of N210 trillion,” Falana said.
“The committee of the Senate has summoned the former GMD of NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, for the full house headed by Godswill Akpabio.
“He said yesterday that the committee has no power to summon the big man, and the Senate apologised to him for embarrassing him.”
The senior lawyer further disclosed that his group had formally requested access to the Senate report allegedly detailing concerns over the unaccounted funds.
“On our own part, we have written a letter to the Senate that we want a copy of the report where it is stated that N210trillion cannot be explained,” he said.
Falana noted that the protest was not only about accountability and governance issues but also about the escalating security crisis affecting communities across Nigeria.
“Therefore, this protest is also against the worsening insecurity in our country. We are calling on the government as a matter of urgency to rescue the children who are in custody,” he said.
He expressed concerns over the plight of abducted pupils who have reportedly remained in captivity for weeks.
“Just imagine that primary school pupils, some of them just barely 2-3 years old, have been at the mercy of the elements for the past weeks.
“Come rain, come sunshine, those kids are suffering. No medical attention, no food for them. So, for us as Nigerians, all of us are in custody, one way or the other. And we demand the immediate release of those children and their teachers.”
Falana also referenced reports that one of the teachers had been killed by the abductors.
“As you are well aware, a teacher has been beheaded in order to compel the government to move swiftly to have those children released. Great Nigerians, we also want to thank you for coming out today,” he added.
The protest formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day, with participants raising concerns over governance, demanding public accountability, an end to economic hardship, and the growing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks across the country.
