Senate Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum to NNPCL, CBN, Others

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has mandated a 72-hour ultimatum for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and other agencies to appear before it concerning unresolved audit queries. This directive was issued on Monday after officials from the invited agencies did not attend a scheduled meeting and failed to provide any formal explanation for their absence.

Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, the committee chairman, emphasized that the invitations were part of the committee's constitutional oversight responsibilities. Senator Babangida Hussaini criticized the absence as disrespectful to the National Assembly, while Senator Patrick Ndubueze called for sanctions against the agencies for not honoring the invitations.

The committee resolved to issue a final ultimatum, requiring the agencies to appear by August 6, warning that non-compliance could lead to further legislative action.