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Senator Adams Oshiomhole has defended his role in the controversy surrounding the Senate Committee on Public Accounts’ move against former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited chief executive, Mele Kyari.
In a video shared by AIT News, speaking during a tense session of the Senate, Oshiomhole expressed frustration over being publicly blamed for the committee’s decision to seek an arrest warrant against Kyari. He argued that he was being singled out unfairly and insisted that he should be allowed to defend himself.
Addressing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Oshiomhole said he was prepared to face any consequences but deserved a fair hearing. He maintained that there were always two sides to every issue and questioned why the matter was being discussed publicly rather than in a closed executive session.
The senator also clarified that he did not move the motion related to the arrest warrant. According to him, the motion was introduced by another lawmaker and seconded by a principal officer of the Senate. He added that the committee itself lacked the authority to issue an arrest warrant and could only recommend such action to the Senate President.
Oshiomhole further noted that several lawmakers participated in the proceedings, yet public attention appeared focused solely on his comments. He said he remained unsure why his remarks had become the centre of the controversy.
The dispute follows ongoing Senate investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving NNPCL between 2017 and 2023.
In his words, “You can sentence me to prison but allow me to defend myself.”
