The Senate has announced plans to issue warrants of arrest for several government agencies over their repeated failure to respond to summonses.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), is set to take action against non-compliant organizations.
Agencies identified include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Federal Ministry of Works, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Sally Best Properties Limited, and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Senator Imasuen notified the Senate of his intention to move forward with arrest warrants, citing continuous disregard for the committee’s invitations. Quoting Order 42 from the Senate Rule Book, he requested permission from Senate President Godswill Akpabio to proceed with this course of action.
READ ALSO : Senate angry as NNPCL, FIRS, NPF, 12 agencies shun audit queries
Senator Imasuen emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “due to the consistent refusal of certain officers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to attend our hearings, I will be issuing a warrant of arrest to compel their appearance before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.”
Senate President Akpabio supported the move, sustaining Senator Imasuen’s request. He acknowledged the frustration of lawmakers and affirmed the committee’s right to enforce compliance.
The decision comes as a response to the increasing refusal of agencies to honor Senate invitations, an issue that has drawn concern from lawmakers regarding transparency and accountability.
Credible News recalls that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on August 14, express anger over the attitude of public officers who have failed to answer summons on audit queries.
Specifically, the lawmakers took a swipe at managers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Nigeria Police Force, NPF and 12 other MDAs for their persistent failure to respond to queries raised against them in the 2019 report of the Auditor General of the Federation, AuGF.
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