The Senate distanced itself from comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” insisting that the statement did not represent the official position of the Red Chamber.
The upper legislative chamber also clarified that no Senate committee possesses the authority to issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest without strict compliance with the law and the express approval of the Senate President.
The resolutions followed a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during plenary.
The clarification comes barely a day after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly recommended the issuance of a warrant of arrest against former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over his alleged failure to honour invitations extended by the committee in connection with the probe of an alleged unaccounted N210 trillion.
During deliberations, several lawmakers condemned the remarks attributed to Oshiomhole, stressing that personal opinions expressed by senators should not be mistaken for official Senate resolutions.
Among those who spoke were Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who cautioned members against making statements capable of undermining public institutions.
The lawmakers urged senators to remain guided by the Constitution and Senate Standing Orders in carrying out their legislative responsibilities.
The Senate further reaffirmed its commitment to due process, legislative decorum and adherence to established legal procedures in the discharge of its oversight functions.
Some senators also called on Oshiomhole to publicly withdraw his remarks.
Responding to the criticism, the former Edo State governor defended his comments, arguing that they were made in reaction to attacks directed at 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.
“If it is the view of the Senate that I should apologise, I have no problem with that,” he said.
Oshiomhole maintained that he never intended to bring the Senate into disrepute and insisted that he was merely 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 also questioned why he had become the focus of 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,” he added.
Oshiomhole further reminded lawmakers that the Senate had previously considered allegations contained in the Auditor-General’s report concerning an alleged missing N210 trillion.
“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 comments were, however, interrupted by a point of order raised by the Senate Chief Whip, who urged him to restrict his remarks to the issue before the chamber.
The intervention briefly generated tension on the floor before Senate President Godswill Akpabio restored order.
Akpabio reminded lawmakers that the matter under consideration concerned Oshiomhole’s alleged unparliamentary remarks and the controversy surrounding a purported arrest warrant reportedly issued without due process.
The development comes amid reports that Kyari has informed the Senate that he is currently outside the country receiving critical medical treatment, a claim contained in a letter said to have been signed on May 8, 2026, and which surfaced following the controversy over the proposed arrest warrant.
