The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to several key federal agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to appear before it over unresolved audit queries.
The directive followed the agencies’ failure to honour invitations to a committee meeting held on Monday, with none of the affected institutions reportedly providing any official reason for their absence.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, expressed disappointment over the development, describing the agencies’ absence as a setback to the committee’s oversight responsibilities.
He explained that the meeting was convened to address pending audit issues and reduce the committee’s workload through timely engagement with the affected institutions.
According to Dankwambo, invitations had been duly sent out, but the invited agencies failed to attend the session.
Several lawmakers on the committee condemned the development, warning that public institutions must not undermine the authority of the National Assembly.
Senator Babangida Hussaini described the agencies’ failure to appear as an act of disrespect, insisting that the committee possesses the constitutional authority to compel accountability from government institutions.
He warned that the Senate should not be taken for granted and urged the committee to adopt stronger measures against agencies that ignore legislative invitations.
In a similar vein, Senator Patrick Ndubueze argued that the affected organisations had forfeited the privilege of another invitation after failing to attend without offering any explanation.
He maintained that appropriate sanctions should be imposed to reinforce legislative oversight and ensure greater accountability among government agencies.
Following its deliberations, the committee resolved to issue a final 72-hour notice directing the agencies to appear before it on August 6 to respond to the outstanding audit queries.
The lawmakers warned that any agency that fails to comply with the directive risks further legislative action in line with the Senate’s oversight powers.
Headline: Senate Gives NNPCL, CBN, NDDC 72-Hour Deadline Over Audit Queries
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has handed a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and several other government agencies to appear before it over unresolved audit queries.
The committee issued the directive on Monday after representatives of the invited agencies failed to honour its summons and did not provide any official explanation for their absence.
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Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, expressed disappointment over the development, saying the agencies’ appearance was necessary to enable the panel carry out its constitutional oversight duties and clear pending audit issues.
According to him, the invitations were sent as part of efforts to reduce the committee’s workload and improve the efficiency of its oversight functions, but none of the invited officials showed up.
Members of the committee condemned the agencies’ absence, describing it as a slight on the authority of the National Assembly.
Senator Babangida Hussaini said the failure to honour the invitations amounted to a display of disregard for the Senate, stressing that the committee possesses the legal authority to compel compliance.
He warned that the legislature should not be taken for granted, urging the committee to take decisive measures against agencies that ignore its invitations.
Echoing similar concerns, Senator Patrick Ndubueze advocated sanctions against the defaulting agencies, insisting that they should not be afforded another opportunity after failing to appear without offering any justification.
He argued that government institutions must be held accountable and should respect the oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly.
Following deliberations, the committee resolved to issue a final 72-hour ultimatum to the affected agencies, directing them to appear before it on August 6 to respond to the outstanding audit queries.
The lawmakers warned that any agency that fails to comply with the directive could face further legislative action in line with the Senate’s constitutional powers.