The Nigerian Senate has threatened to issue arrest warrants against the external auditors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) following their failure to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee to address concerns over the company’s financial statements from 2017 to 2023.
All four auditing firms SIAO, VWC, Muktali Dangana & Co., and Ahmed Zakaria & Co. failed to honour the committee’s summons. Instead, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) appeared on their behalf, claiming to have been delegated to represent them.
However, the committee rejected his appearance, declaring it inappropriate and inconsistent with the rules of engagement. “We found him not fit and proper as of today to stand before us as a representative of the external auditing firms,” said Senator Aliyu Wadada, Chairman of the committee.
The committee emphasized that only the actual auditors who prepared the reports are deemed competent to provide the necessary clarifications. Tensions rose as lawmakers insisted that the firms must appear in person to address what they described as “contentious issues” in NNPCL’s annual financial statements.
“If they do not appear as summoned, we will have no choice but to invoke the powers available to us under the law to compel their attendance. The Nigerian public and the international community deserve to know the truth,” the committee warned.
Senator Saliu Mustapha added, “There are sensitive issues that must be addressed. We cannot allow them to be swept under the carpet. Our duty as representatives of the Nigerian people demands full accountability.”
In a final resolution, the committee gave the firms a fresh deadline Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at exactly 2:00 PM to appear in person. The committee reiterated its resolve not to tolerate further delays.
