Nigeria’s Senate Public Accounts Committee has summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to appear on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after all four agencies failed to attend a scheduled investigative hearing on Monday.
The committee, chaired by Ibrahim Dankwabo, had invited the heads and management teams of the agencies to respond to findings in NEITI audit reports covering the oil and gas sector from 2021 to 2023. None of the invited agencies, including NEITI itself, sent representatives to the opening session.
The absence drew sharp criticism from committee members, who described it as a direct affront to the National Assembly. Babangida Hussaini, representing Jigawa North-West, urged the committee to invoke its constitutional powers under Sections 47 and 60 of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Rules.
“The institutional integrity of the Senate is being undermined,” Hussaini said. “Mr. Chairman, drastic measures need to be taken in line with our rules.”
Patrick Ndubueze, representing Imo North, argued the agencies had shown complete disregard by failing to communicate their absence or send representatives. “No letter was written. No excuse was offered,” Ndubueze said. “To me, they don’t deserve to be given any second chance of appearance.”
Dankwabo ruled the committee would grant one final opportunity for the agencies to appear on Thursday, warning that further failure would trigger sanctions as provided under the Constitution and Senate Standing Orders. The committee intends to continue its three-week investigative hearing until all agencies account for issues raised in the audit reports.
Meanwhile, the committee is expected to resume hearings on Tuesday with appearances by the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission and other relevant government agencies.
