Reps summon finance ministry, Auditor-General, Budget Office, others over power probe evasion

The lawmakers expressed deep frustration over the repeated failure of the ministries and agencies to respond to official correspondence or submit documents crucial to the probe.

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating Nigeria’s power sector reforms and expenditures from 2007 to 2024 has summoned several government agencies for repeatedly evading legislative oversight.

The summons, directed at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Power, and the Office of the Auditor-General, was issued by the committee chairman, Ibrahim Aliyu, during a continued investigative hearing on Thursday.

Mr Aliyu expressed deep frustration over the repeated failure of these institutions to respond to official correspondence or submit documents crucial to the probe.

He described this as “an emerging pattern of avoidance,” warning that the committee would no longer tolerate such defiance.

He directed the agencies to appear before the committee not later than 8 December, cautioning that failure to comply would compel the House to invoke its constitutional powers.

The chairman disclosed that the committee had sent multiple letters to the agencies, including follow-up letters and additional reminders, yet had received neither acknowledgement nor submissions.

“We cannot pre-empt their reasons for refusing to appear, but these ministries and agencies are critical to the success of this investigation,” he said.

Earlier, committee members had endorsed a motion urging Mr Aliyu to grant a short extension and to expand communication channels, including publishing invitations in the media to prevent any agency from claiming ignorance.

The chairman accepted the recommendations, announcing that the committee would issue fresh letters and public notices as a final gesture before resorting to legal instruments under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution.

The sections mandate the National Assembly to compel attendance and demand documents from any person or authority.

Mr Aliyu warned that continued evasions risk undermining the probe, which seeks to establish how trillions of naira invested in the power sector over 17 years have failed to deliver stable electricity to Nigerians.

“We cannot continue this way,” he said. “These agencies must come forward with their records. The Nigerian people deserve answers.”