NEITI audit probe stalled as CBN, NDDC, NUPRC shun Senate hearing

…Committee warns of sanctions for absentee agencies

By Haruna Salami

The Senate’s planned investigation into the 2021–2023 audit reports on Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, prepared by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), suffered a setback on Monday following the absence of key agencies at a public hearing convened by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),  all failed to appear before the committee. Also absent was the management of NEITI, the body that produced the audit reports under review.

The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe North), had scheduled a three-week public hearing based on the audit findings submitted by NEITI.

The exercise was expected to feature the chief executives and management teams of all agencies affected by the audit queries.

However, when proceedings commenced on Monday, none of the invited agencies attended the session.

Angered by their absence, the committee directed the management of the CBN, NDDC and NUPRC to appear without fail on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Senator Dankwabo warned that any agency that fails to honour the new invitation would face sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders.

Earlier, a member of the committee, Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North West), urged the panel to invoke constitutional and parliamentary provisions against the defaulting agencies.

“I rely on 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 respond to valid audit queries.

“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,” he stated.

Also speaking, Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North) argued that the absentee agencies should be sanctioned immediately rather than being given another opportunity to appear.

“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 explain why the chief executives could not attend.

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

Despite Monday’s setback, the committee is expected to continue the public hearing today with appearances by the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and other relevant agencies.