The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to appear before it and respond to outstanding audit queries or face sanctions.
The directive was issued during the committee’s sitting in Abuja after the three agencies failed to honour invitations to appear before lawmakers to address issues raised in audit reports.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, expressed displeasure over the absence of the agencies, describing their failure to appear as a disregard for legislative oversight and accountability processes.
The committee, however, acknowledged receipt of a letter from the Bank of Agriculture, signed by its legal adviser, explaining that the institution had appeared before the panel on several occasions between February 2023 and November 2024.
According to the correspondence, issues raised during those engagements had been resolved with the committee and relevant government authorities.
The bank also requested details of any unresolved matters and sought a two-week extension to allow its management assemble relevant documents.
Rejecting the request, Dankwambo faulted the communication, noting that it was not signed by the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
He maintained that all official correspondence relating to committee invitations must be personally signed and transmitted by the heads of agencies concerned.
The committee further criticized the bank for failing to present its Managing Director before the panel despite being invited to explain unresolved audit issues.
Lawmakers unanimously resolved that the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture must personally appear before the committee within one week, insisting that several audit concerns involving the institution remain unresolved contrary to claims contained in the letter.
The committee also warned that future communications from agencies signed by subordinate officers rather than chief executives would no longer be entertained.
Members of the panel described the absence of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company and the Rural Electrification Agency as unacceptable and directed that both organisations be given a final seven-day opportunity to appear before the committee.
Several lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as a growing trend of non-compliance with legislative summons by government agencies, stressing that audit queries are critical accountability issues that require prompt attention.
The committee emphasized that its actions were based on reports submitted through constitutionally established processes and within the scope of its statutory responsibilities.
Dankwambo disclosed that fresh letters detailing unresolved audit issues would be issued immediately to the affected agencies, warning that failure to appear within the stipulated period would attract sanctions in line with the committee’s oversight powers.
He reiterated the Senate’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, stressing that government agencies must cooperate fully with legislative oversight mechanisms.
