In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, the Nigerian Senate has issued a stern ultimatum to several high-ranking government officials, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Yemi Cardoso, and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari. These officials, along with others, face potential arrest after repeatedly failing to respond to summons related to crucial audit inquiries.
The Senate’s Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), led by Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, made it clear on Tuesday, February 4, that they would no longer tolerate such defiance. The committee, which is investigating multiple audit reports from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), has been unable to secure cooperation from these key government figures. They have ignored numerous invitations to answer questions regarding financial discrepancies and mismanagement.
Senator Wadada issued a harsh warning, emphasizing that the failure of these officials to appear before the committee would not go unchecked. “If they continue to ignore our summons, we will issue arrest warrants. No one in Nigeria is above the law,” Wadada declared, referencing the importance of transparency and accountability in government.
The officials under scrutiny are as follows:
- Kayode Egbetokun (Inspector-General of Police)
- Yemi Cardoso (Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria)
- Mele Kyari (CEO, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited)
- Zacch Adedeji (Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service)
- Adewale Adeniyi (Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service)
The committee is particularly alarmed by the FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji’s refusal to attend any of the eight invitations extended to him. His absence has raised questions about his commitment to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” and has drawn harsh criticism from Senator Wadada, who stated, “If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can appear before the National Assembly to present the budget, I wonder how an appointee can think he is too busy to honor an invitation.”
Equally concerning is the non-compliance of NNPCL, which has neither attended the hearings nor provided satisfactory responses to critical audit queries. Wadada has expressed frustration, remarking, “The responses we have received from them are vague and insufficient. The next time they ignore an invitation, we will issue a warrant of arrest.”
Similarly, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is under investigation for unaccounted funds amounting to billions of naira, according to the Auditor-General’s report. Despite repeated attempts to engage with the NCS, the committee has faced continued resistance.
The Senate’s ultimatum marks a pivotal moment for Nigerian governance, signaling the possibility of a dramatic confrontation between the legislature and high-ranking officials who have thus far evaded accountability. The pressure is mounting for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to act decisively, as Senator Wadada warned that failure to comply would not only result in arrests but could also cost these officials their positions.
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