CBN, NUPRC skip Senate audit hearing, prompting sanctions threat

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) on Monday failed to honour the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s invitation to defend queries arising from the 2021–2023 audit reports on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, forcing the panel to issue fresh summons and threaten sanctions against the agencies.

…Committee summons NSA, NMDPRA, others Tuesday

The absence of the agencies stalled the commencement of the committee’s planned three-week investigative hearing into findings contained in the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) audit reports, which examine operations in the country’s extractive industry between 2021 and 2023.

The committee, chaired by Ibrahim Dankwabo, directed the management of the four agencies to appear before it on Thursday, August 6, 2026, warning that failure to honour the rescheduled invitation would attract sanctions under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders.

Dankwabo said the committee would not tolerate what he described as disregard for the authority of the Senate, stressing that the investigation would continue until all agencies accounted for issues raised in the audit reports.

The committee had invited the heads and management teams of the affected agencies to respond to observations contained in the NEITI reports, which form part of the Senate’s oversight responsibility over public finances and the extractive industry.

However, none of the invited agencies, including NEITI, the author of the audit reports under review, was represented at Monday’s opening session.

The absence drew sharp criticism from members of the committee, who described it as a direct affront to the National Assembly.

Senator Babangida Hussaini, who represents Jigawa North-West, urged the committee to invoke its constitutional powers against the defaulting agencies.

He said, “I rely on the constitutional provisions, Sections 47 and 60 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the relevant provisions of our Standing Rules.

“The powers of this committee are derived from these provisions. It is a distraction to the institution of the National Assembly for any agency, by whatever name or designation, to refuse to appear and answer audit queries that have been validly raised.”

He added, “I think this committee is being taken for granted, and by extension, Nigerians are being taken for granted.

“The institutional integrity of the Senate is being undermined. Mr. Chairman, drastic measures need to be taken in line with our rules.”

Backing the call for sanctions, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, who represents Imo North, argued that the agencies had shown complete disregard for the Senate by failing to communicate their absence. “Mr Chairman, this reflects the level of commitment of government agencies in this country. No letter was written. No excuse was offered. No representative was sent to appear before the committee to explain why the chief executives could not attend.

“To me, they don’t deserve to be given any second chance of appearance.”

Despite the development, Dankwabo ruled that the committee would give the agencies one final opportunity to appear before it on Thursday, warning that any further failure to honour the invitation would trigger sanctions as provided for under the Constitution and the Senate’s Standing Orders.

Meanwhile, the committee is expected to continue its investigative hearing on Tuesday with appearances by the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and other relevant government agencies.