The Senate’s investigation into audit reports covering Nigeria’s oil and gas sector suffered an early setback after several key government agencies failed to appear at a scheduled public hearing.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee had begun a three-week hearing to examine issues raised in the 2021–2023 audit reports prepared by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
However, when proceedings opened on Monday, officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and even NEITI itself were absent.
The development angered members of the committee.
Committee Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Dankwabo, immediately directed the agencies to appear on Thursday, August 6, warning that failure to honour the invitation would attract sanctions under the Constitution and Senate Standing Orders.
Lawmakers expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of respect for the National Assembly.
Senator Babangida Hussaini said the committee’s constitutional powers must be enforced, arguing that refusing to appear before lawmakers undermines both the Senate and the Nigerian people.
He said agencies should not ignore valid audit queries without consequences.
Senator Patrick Ndubueze was even more critical, saying the agencies had shown little commitment to accountability.
According to him, none of the agencies wrote to explain their absence or sent representatives to attend the hearing, insisting they did not deserve another opportunity before the committee.
Despite the disruption, the committee said the investigation would continue. Officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and other agencies are expected to appear at subsequent sessions.
