The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has again failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, despite a 10-day ultimatum issued to him over unaccounted funds totaling N200 trillion.

Instead of appearing in person, the NNPCL GCEO sent representatives to the hearing on Thursday.

However, the committee declined to engage with the delegation, insisting that only the group’s chief himself must appear to address the 11 critical financial queries raised in the company’s audited statements.

The lawmakers described Ojulari’s continued absence as a direct affront to the authority of the National Assembly and a breach of its oversight responsibilities.

The committee’s chair, Aliyu Wadada, therefore, warned that the Senate would not tolerate further disregard and vowed to issue a new date for the NNPCL GCEO to appear in person.

Earlier, the Senate had cautioned that failure to respond adequately to its summons could result in the invocation of its constitutional powers, including the possibility of sanctions.

The public accounts committee is probing significant discrepancies in NNPCL’s financial records, which lawmakers say raise serious questions of accountability and transparency. (Channels TV)