The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has given the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), and other defaulting agencies 72 hours to appear before it over their failure to honour invitations to a public hearing on audit queries.
The agencies failed to attend the opening session of the committee’s special oversight hearing on Monday, forcing a postponement of proceedings.
The hearing was convened to examine NEITI’s oil and gas industry audit reports for 2021, 2022 and 2023, which cover revenues, remittances, financial obligations and the operations of stakeholders in the extractive sector.
More than 50 government agencies and oil and gas companies had been invited to appear before the committee between August 3 and August 25.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, said invitations were sent to all concerned agencies and notices were also published in national newspapers.
He expressed disappointment that several agencies failed to attend or offer any explanation for their absence.
Dankwambo said the hearing was aimed at clearing outstanding audit issues and strengthening the Senate’s oversight responsibilities.
Members of the committee described the absence of the agencies as a sign of disrespect to the National Assembly and Nigerians.
Senator Babangida Hussaini said lawmakers had suspended their recess and constituency activities to attend the hearing, only for the invited agencies to stay away without prior notice.
RELATED NEWS:
- NAICE 2026: Oil & Gas Leaders Urge Synergy for Nigeria’s Energy Security
- Fake Agency Scandal: Senate Rejects Fresh Call for Probe, as Atiku, Presidency Clash
- Senate’s Textile Import Ban Could Jeopardise 10m Jobs
- Senate Passes Bill for State Police
He warned that the committee should take firm action, adding that the continued disregard for legislative invitations was becoming embarrassing.
Senator Patrick Ndubueze also criticised the agencies, saying public officials responsible for managing public funds should not ignore invitations from the Senate.
He urged the committee to invoke its constitutional powers against any agency that failed to comply.
Senate Faults Agencies For Absence
Senator Nasiru Zangon-Daura faulted the agencies for failing to communicate with the committee, noting that none of them sent representatives or offered reasons for their absence.
Following deliberations, the committee resolved to give the affected agencies a final opportunity to appear before it on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Announcing the resolution, Dankwambo said the agencies had been issued a final 72-hour ultimatum and warned that any agency that failed to honour the rescheduled invitation could face sanctions under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders.
The committee also directed its secretariat to formally notify the affected agencies of the new date and the consequences of failing to appear.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.