Reps Summon Accountant General Over Financial Accountability

The House of Representatives' Public Accounts Committee summoned Accountant General Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi to appear on Monday, July 13, following his repeated failure to honor invitations and submit critical financial documents. Committee Chair Bamidel Salam expressed concern over Ogunjimi's non-responsive attitude, which undermines the committee's oversight responsibilities.

Despite several letters sent to Ogunjimi's office in recent months, he neither appeared before the committee nor provided the necessary documents for investigation. Salam criticized Ogunjimi's lack of diligence in rendering accounts and preparing the country's consolidated financial statements, stating that the conduct of the Accountant General fell short of the standards expected from the nation's chief accounting officer.

The committee anticipates a cordial working relationship with the Accountant General, given its constitutional responsibility to oversee public financial management and ensure accountability in the use of public funds. Additionally, the committee issued a final invitation to six ministries and agencies whose chief accounting officers have also failed to honor previous invitations.