The Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) yesterday gave the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, a 10-day ultimatum to answer its query on what it called gaping discrepancies in the company’s handling of trillions of naira in public funds contained in its audit reports.

The SPAC had, at its last session with the management of NNPCL, demanded answers to 11 critical audit queries stemming from discrepancies in its financial records amid growing public concern.

The threat came during a heated committee session yesterday, following a formal request by the NNPCL to defer its appearance by two months, citing the ongoing absence of its top management team, said to be away on a retreat.

But senators were unimpressed by the non-appearance of the NNPCL management, describing the excuse as unacceptable.

Addressing reporters over the development, SPAC Chairman Ahmed Wadada said the oil giant’s request was “unacceptable”.

The committee chairman noted that the enquiry was not about fresh documentation but responses to 11 questions the panel had raised at its previous hearing.

“For a corporate body like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to queries that emanated from their books is unacceptable,” he said. “This committee is giving NNPC 10 working days from today— till July 10, 2025— to appear and provide answers.”

Failure to comply, the committee warned, would amount to contempt of the Senate and may trigger the invocation of constitutional powers to compel attendance and enforce accountability.

In a letter dated June 24, NNPCL requested the postponement, citing the need to “collate requested information and documentation” and the absence of board and senior management members.

But the lawmakers said the delay was a possible sign of unpreparedness or avoidance.

A member of the SPAC and Senate Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwebonyi, who expressed disappointment over the development, said: “This two-month delay request suggests to me that there are no answers. But in fairness, we are granting them 10 working days. On July 10, the GCEO must appear in person. No excuses.”

Also present at the session were representatives from the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU, and DSS, all of whom the committee said would remain part of the ongoing probe to ensure transparency, integrity, and thoroughness.