Reps Summon AGF, Six MDAs Over Repeated Snub of Oversight Invitations

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has summoned the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, to appear before it on Monday, July 13, following what lawmakers described as his persistent failure to honour invitations and submit key financial documents required for legislative oversight.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam, issued what it termed a final invitation to the AGF during its sitting on Tuesday, warning that continued disregard for the committee’s requests undermines accountability in the management of public funds.

Lawmakers expressed concern over the Accountant-General’s repeated absence despite several correspondences from the committee in recent months, describing his conduct as inconsistent with the responsibilities of the nation’s chief accounting officer.

The committee also faulted the Office of the Accountant-General for allegedly failing to demonstrate diligence in rendering its accounts and preparing Nigeria’s consolidated financial statements, warning that such actions set a poor example for other government institutions.

Speaking during the session, Salam said the Office of the Accountant-General occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s public financial management architecture and is expected to maintain a cooperative relationship with the National Assembly, particularly the Public Accounts Committee, which is constitutionally mandated to scrutinise government finances.

He stressed that no public official or institution is above legislative oversight, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to enforcing accountability in the management of public resources.

In the same vein, the committee summoned six Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) over their failure to respond to previous invitations.

The affected agencies are the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.

The accounting officers of the agencies, alongside the permanent secretaries of the affected ministries, were directed to appear before the committee on Monday, July 13.

Salam warned that the committee would invoke all constitutional and parliamentary powers available to compel compliance from any public official or institution that fails to honour its invitations.

He reiterated the committee’s resolve to strengthen transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources through effective legislative oversight.

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