Senate Threatens Sanctions for Ignoring Legislative Summons

The Senate has threatened to impose constitutional sanctions, including arrest warrants and budgetary penalties, against heads of Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that fail to respond to invitations from its committees. This resolution was adopted following a motion sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and co-sponsored by 18 other senators, addressing the persistent non-compliance of government agencies with legislative oversight.

Musa described the refusal of agency heads to honor invitations as a violation of the separation of powers and detrimental to public confidence in governance. The Senate reaffirmed its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution and directed all GOEs and MDAs to comply with legislative summons.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other officials were instructed to ensure compliance. Several lawmakers expressed concern over the growing trend of non-compliance, with Senator Monguno labeling it as executive arrogance.

Senator Ningi suggested issuing a final warning to President Tinubu regarding agency heads' conduct.