The chief financial officer of NNPCL Tajuddeen Karim together with chief relation officer of the company Morenike Adewunmi and former chief finance officer Umar Ajiya Isa have appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Account PAC Wednesday evening
Their appearance followed an investigative enquiry by the committee on the total sum of two hundred and ten trillion naira said to be unaccounted for in line with audit financial report of the company between 2017 and 2023 audit report.
Speaking during the session the chairman of the committee senator Ahmad Aliyu Wadada explained that the committee would not be able to take on Umar Ajiya and the NNPCL representatives, reminding that the committee promised not to listened to any other than the GCEO of NNPCL Bayo Ojulari
He however, commended Mr Umar Ajiya for honouring the committee’s invitation this time around but the presence of chief finance officer of NNPCL Tajuddeen Karim would not make the committee to back down on its ealier position.
Senator Wadada warned that the committee would issue a warrant of arrest against the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, if he fails to appear before it on May 13, 2026, which has been fixed for another investigative session involving the affected officials.
Meanwhile the immediate past Chief Finance Officer of NNPCL, Umar Ajia, was present during the wednesday’s sitting and the chairman of the committee submitted copies of the audit reports containing queries on the unaccounted N210 trillion after taking an oath.
According to the committee chairman, the immediate past GCEO of NNPCL Mele Kyari called him while plenary session is going on but did not answered him, while Bala Wunti contacted Senator Abdul Ningi on phone assuring that he would be present at the next sitting of the committee.
Earlier, Senator Wadada expressed displeasure over a letter sent by the current NNPCL GCEO, Bayo Ojulari, to explain his absence.
He specifically addressed the Chief Relations Officer, Morenike Adewumi, who signed the letter dated April 29, 2026—the same day of the sitting, warning that if Ojulari fails to appear before the committee by 3:00 pm on May 13, a warrant of arrest would be issued against him.
Commenting on the issue Senator Adams Oshiomhole described the action as disrespectful, criticizing the submission of a letter signed by a subordinate as justification.
Cov/ Bashir M .
