Senate gives BOA, NSPMC, and REA one week to respond to audit questions

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — The Senate has issued a one‑week ultimatum to the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to appear before it and address pending audit inquiries.

The directive came from the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, after the three agencies failed to attend a scheduled hearing.

During the session, the committee secretary reported that BOA had sent a letter signed by its legal adviser. The letter claimed that the bank had appeared before the committee on several occasions between February 2023 and November 2024 and that all issues raised had been resolved with the committee and relevant government authorities.

BOA also requested details of any unresolved matters and asked for an additional two weeks to gather the necessary documents.

Senator Dankwambo criticized the letter, noting that it was signed by an official below the rank of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He insisted that all communications regarding committee invitations must be personally signed and transmitted by the heads of the agencies.

He further condemned BOA for not presenting its Managing Director before the committee despite being invited to explain outstanding audit issues.

The committee rejected the two‑week extension request, stating that agencies cannot set timelines for legislative oversight proceedings.

Members unanimously resolved that BOA’s Managing Director must appear before the committee within one week.

The lawmakers emphasized that previous audit concerns involving the bank remain unresolved, contrary to the claims in its letter, and warned that future correspondence signed by subordinate officials would no longer be accepted.

The committee also described the absence of NSPMC and REA as unacceptable and granted both organisations a final one‑week opportunity to appear before the panel.

Several lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as a growing pattern of disregard for legislative summons by government agencies.

They argued that audit queries are serious accountability matters that require prompt responses and should not be treated with indifference by public institutions.

The committee stressed that it is acting on reports submitted through constitutional processes and within its statutory mandate.

It warned that agencies that fail to honour the invitations after the final notice will face sanctions in line with its constitutional powers.

Senator Dankwambo said strong letters would be issued immediately to the defaulting agencies, outlining unresolved issues that require their attention.

He added that the agencies must appear before the committee within one week or risk sanctions for failing to cooperate with legislative oversight responsibilities.

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