A session of the House of Representatives turned rowdy on Tuesday during a probe into the alleged non-remittance of N5.2 trillion by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and conflicting revenue figures linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam, invited CBN officials and other stakeholders to clarify discrepancies in the remittances. Tensions rose as lawmakers accused the CBN of failing to provide clear records regarding revenue remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund between 2015 and 2023.
A major point of contention was the CBN’s explanation that over N1.8 trillion had been remitted in recent months, a figure disputed by committee members, who insisted the apex bank had not complied with constitutional and fiscal transparency standards.
Matters escalated when representatives challenged NNPCL’s alleged inconsistencies in declared revenue and deductions made at source. Lawmakers demanded detailed explanations, accusing relevant agencies of withholding critical information.
The Accountant-General’s office was also criticized for presenting incomplete documentation, prompting heated exchanges across party lines.
Chairman Salam emphasized the importance of accountability and warned that responsible agencies would face sanctions if found guilty of violating the Constitution or the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
The probe is ongoing, with the committee expected to summon more officials in the coming days. The House reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency in Nigeria’s financial system.
