Reps Move To Unravel ₦802bn Mystery, Summon NNPCL, INEC Officials

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee is set to question officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other government agencies over audit queries involving more than ₦802.19 billion.

The hearings, scheduled to begin on Monday, October 5, are based on findings contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s reports for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 financial years.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the queries relate to alleged irregularities in procurement processes, revenue management, payments, statutory remittances and compliance with established financial regulations.

The committee, chaired by Bamidele Salam, a member representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, is expected to demand explanations and relevant supporting documents from the affected agencies.

A member of the committee disclosed that NNPCL and INEC officials are expected to appear before the lawmakers on Tuesday, October 6, alongside accounting officers and other relevant experts.

The lawmaker said the committee would begin its proceedings on Monday with officials from several agencies, including the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission, Federal Colleges of Education in Okene and Gombe, and the University Teaching Hospital in Ilorin.

He noted that Tuesday’s session would focus significantly on NNPCL and INEC, with the agencies expected to respond to specific issues raised in the Auditor-General’s reports.

According to the information presented before the committee, the 2021 audit report raised financial queries of about ₦514 billion against NNPCL, while the 2022 report contained alleged financial breaches involving approximately ₦288.19 billion in relation to INEC.

The NNPCL queries reportedly include alleged irregular deductions amounting to ₦343.64 billion from domestic crude oil sales.

The Public Accounts Committee is expected to scrutinise the agencies’ responses and supporting records as part of its constitutional responsibility to examine public expenditure and ensure accountability in the management of government funds.