The Senate on Thursday distanced itself from comments by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” insisting that the remarks did not reflect the position of the Red Chamber.
The upper legislative chamber also declared that no Senate committee has the authority to issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest except in strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and with the express approval of the Senate President.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary.
The clarification came barely 24 hours after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly recommended the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, over his alleged failure to honour invitations extended by the committee.
Bamidele warned that any attempt by a Senate committee to independently issue or execute a warrant of arrest without authorisation from the Senate President could amount to an unlawful exercise of power.
He said, “The power to issue a warrant affecting the liberty of a citizen is an extraordinary statutory power which must be exercised strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.”
“The constitutional doctrine of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence require that no person or institution be adjudged guilty except by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process of law.”
He warned that such statements could be interpreted by the public as the official position of the Senate and undermine confidence in the impartiality of ongoing oversight proceedings.
“Such statements, if left unclarified, may be misconstrued by the public as representing the official position of the Senate and may undermine confidence in the impartiality and objectivity of ongoing legislative oversight proceedings.”
The Senate subsequently adopted a resolution formally dissociating itself from the comments and clarifying that they do not represent the findings, opinion, resolution or official position of the upper chamber.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin strongly backed the motion, describing it as part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Senate Leader.
Reading from Senate rules and constitutional provisions, Barau stressed that committees are subordinate organs of the Senate and may only make recommendations rather than independently exercise powers reserved for the chamber.
“The committee overstepped its bounds, and he has done the right thing by drawing attention to it.”
He maintained that the Senate must always operate in accordance with both its rules and the Constitution.
“We need to do things in line with our rules and with the law of the land.”
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the motion as a necessary intervention to preserve the credibility of the legislature.
According to him, it would be contradictory for lawmakers to make laws for national governance while simultaneously violating those same laws.
“The Senate, being the highest law-making body of the country, should not only be above board but should be seen manifestly to be above board.”
He characterised the motion as both a wake-up call and a reminder for committees to strictly comply with constitutional provisions and Senate rules.
Senator Abba Moro emphasised the importance of maintaining decorum and avoiding statements capable of damaging reputations.
“We should not make statements that seek to impugn the character of public officers or individuals in society.”
Moro cautioned that Nigerians closely monitor Senate proceedings and warned that inappropriate conduct could undermine public trust in the institution.
Former Kebbi State Governor and Senator Adamu Aliero was among the strongest critics of Oshiomhole’s comments.
He described the statement as “reckless” and argued that it could damage Nigeria’s investment image internationally.
“The NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Such reckless statements send wrong signals to outsiders and can jeopardise foreign direct investment.”
Aliero urged the Senate to collectively condemn and distance itself from the remarks to protect both the image of NNPCL and the Senate.
Former Abia State Governor and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu also defended the strategic importance of NNPCL to Nigeria’s economy.
He urged Oshiomhole to publicly withdraw the statement.
“It is not good for any committee or individual to criminalise a big company like NNPC.”
Kalu added, “Our future lies in this country. We have no other country than Nigeria.”
Responding, the former Edo State governor defended his comments, saying they were made in reaction to attacks on lawmakers by NNPCL officials.
“I acted under provocation because distinguished members were being attacked without any proof of the allegations being made. We are knowledgeable of the rules and not ignorant of them,” he said.
“If it is the view of the Senate that I should apologise, I have no problem with that.”
Oshiomhole said he had no intention of bringing the Senate into disrepute and maintained that he was only defending the institution and its members.
“Rather than provide answers, we were told that senators do not have a monopoly on patriotism and were accused of recommending their children for employment in NNPC. The lawmakers were denigrated, and I reacted in defence of the Senate,” the lawmaker said.
He added that he was surprised to be singled out in the controversy.
“I was not the mover of the motion seeking the issuance of a warrant of arrest, and I do not understand why my name was singled out. The Senate Leader referred to my reaction and not to the issues that prompted it.”
The senator further recalled that the Senate had previously deliberated on allegations contained in the Auditor-General’s report concerning an unaccounted N210tn.
“We sat here and took a decision regarding the alleged missing N210 trillion. We were informed that Mele Kyari refused to appear before the committee. What brought us here in the first place was the allegation that NNPC’s approved auditors could not account for the funds, according to the Auditor-General’s report,” the Edo North senator told lawmakers.
His remarks were interrupted when the Senate Chief Whip raised a point of order, urging him to confine his comments to the matter before the chamber.
The intervention triggered a brief uproar before Senate President Godswill Akpabio restored order.
Akpabio reminded senators that the motion under consideration was limited to Oshiomhole’s alleged unparliamentary remarks and the issue of a purported arrest warrant issued without following due process.
The development comes hours after Kyari’s reaction to the warrant arrest, claiming that he is currently outside the country, undergoing critical medical care.
The claim was contained in a letter seen by Nairametrics and purportedly signed by Kyari on May 8, 2026.
The letter began circulating following the arrest order issued by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
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