Again, Senate summons NNPCL, CBN, NDDC, others over audit queries

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The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has given 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 72 hours to appear before it over their failure to respond to audit-related invitations.

The ultimatum was issued during the committee’s meeting on Monday after representatives of the affected agencies failed to attend the session and did not provide any official reason for their absence.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, described the absence of the agencies as unacceptable, stressing that the invitations were part of the committee’s constitutional oversight responsibilities.

Dankwambo explained that the committee was working to clear pending audit issues and improve the efficiency of its oversight functions, adding that cooperation from the agencies was essential to achieving that objective.

He warned that the affected organisations must appear before the committee within 72 hours to respond to the audit queries or risk further legislative action in line with the powers of the National Assembly.

“We wanted to reduce the volume of work to enhance our oversight. The letters and invitations were issued, but our guests have not arrived,” he said.

Expressing displeasure over the agencies’ absence, committee member Senator Babangida Hussaini described the action as disrespectful to the National Assembly.

“The committee has powers, and it is most disrespectful to the National Assembly for any agency to fail to appear to respond to audit queries. This committee needs to take drastic action. The Senate is being taken for granted, and that must stop forthwith,” he said.

Also speaking, Senator Patrick Ndubueze called for sanctions against the defaulting agencies, arguing that they should not be given another opportunity after failing to honour the invitations without any explanation.

“The proper consequences should be laid down and carried out. They don’t deserve a second chance. If they can’t attend to this important arm of government after invitations were sent and no explanations were given, they don’t deserve another chance,” he stated.

Following deliberations, the committee resolved to give the affected agencies a final 72-hour ultimatum to appear before it on August 6, warning that failure to comply could attract further legislative action.