Reps Public Accounts Committee Summons Accountant-General, Six MDAs Over Financial Records
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, to appear before lawmakers on Monday, July 13, over what the committee described as repeated failure to honour invitations and submit requested financial documents.
The committee also directed the heads of six Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to appear on the same day, warning that it could invoke its constitutional powers to compel their attendance if they fail to comply.
Speaking during the committee’s sitting, Chairman Bamidele Salam expressed dissatisfaction with the Accountant-General’s response to previous invitations.
According to him, the committee had written several letters to the Office of the Accountant-General over the past few months requesting official records and inviting the office to explain issues relating to government financial management. He said the requests were either ignored or received inadequate responses.
The committee noted that the latest invitation serves as a final opportunity for the Accountant-General to personally appear before lawmakers and provide the requested documents.
Mr. Salam also raised concerns about delays in the preparation of Nigeria’s consolidated financial statements, arguing that the Office of the Accountant-General plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the country’s public finance system.
He stressed that government institutions responsible for managing public funds should cooperate fully with legislative oversight, adding that accountability is essential for good governance.
The committee reiterated that no public official or government agency is above legislative scrutiny, noting that the National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to monitor the management of public resources on behalf of Nigerians.
Six MDAs Ordered to Appear
The committee also issued final summons to the chief accounting officers of the following agencies:
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)
Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan
Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN)
Federal Ministry of Education
Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology
Federal Ministry of Police Affairs
The committee warned that failure to honour the summons could lead to the use of constitutional and parliamentary powers to compel attendance.
Under Sections 88 and 89 of Nigeria’s Constitution, the House of Representatives has the authority to summon public officials, demand documents, receive evidence under oath, and issue warrants where necessary to enforce compliance.
The Public Accounts Committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public funds through effective legislative oversight.
