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The Senate on Thursday formally distanced itself from Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s description of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” saying his comments did not reflect the chamber’s position.
The upper house also declared that no Senate committee may issue, authorise or execute an arrest warrant unless it follows the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and has the express approval of the Senate President.
The clarification followed a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, after reports that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had recommended a warrant of arrest for former NNPCL Group CEO Mele Kyari for failing to honour the committee’s invitations.
Bamidele warned that any committee action to issue or carry out such a warrant without the Senate President’s authorisation would be unlawful, stressing that deprivation of liberty must comply strictly with statutory procedure and respect the presumption of innocence.
The Senate adopted a resolution formally dissociating the chamber from Oshiomhole’s remarks, saying they did not represent its findings, opinions or official position.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and several senators supported the motion, reminding colleagues that committees are subordinate organs that may make recommendations but cannot exercise powers reserved for the full Senate.
Senators argued the intervention was necessary to protect the legislature’s credibility and public trust. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno said lawmakers must both follow and be seen to follow the law, while Senator Abba Moro warned against statements that could damage individuals’ reputations.
Former Kebbi governor Adamu Aliero and former Abia governor Orji Uzor Kalu criticised Oshiomhole’s comments for potentially harming Nigeria’s investment image and called for a public withdrawal.
Oshiomhole defended his remarks as a reaction to alleged attacks on senators by NNPCL officials and said he would apologise if the Senate required it. He denied initiating the motion for an arrest warrant and said his comments addressed provocations and concerns over the Auditor-General’s report on an alleged unaccounted N210 trillion.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio limited debate to the motion’s scope, which focused on Oshiomhole’s alleged unparliamentary language and on whether a committee had improperly issued an arrest order.
The clarification comes after reports that Mele Kyari is abroad receiving medical treatment, according to a May 8 letter attributed to him that circulated following the committee’s arrest recommendation.
