Jun 10, 2026

Senate Issues One-Week Ultimatum to BOA, REA, NSPMC

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, June 10, 2026 — The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) to appear before it and address outstanding audit queries or face sanctions.

Chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North), the committee issued the stern warning on Tuesday after the three agencies failed to honour invitations to a scheduled public hearing on unresolved audit observations.

The committee expressed strong displeasure at the absence of the agencies’ chief executives.

It particularly faulted the Bank of Agriculture for sending a letter signed by its Legal Adviser instead of its Managing Director, Ayodele Sotinrin.

The letter claimed that previous audit issues had been resolved between February 2023 and November 2024 and requested a two-week extension to compile documents.

The committee rejected the request, insisting that agencies cannot dictate timelines for legislative oversight.

Senator Dankwambo stressed that all communications must be personally signed and transmitted by the heads of the agencies.

He noted that earlier audit concerns involving BOA remain unresolved, contrary to the bank’s claims.

NSPMC, led by Abubakar Minjibir, and REA, led by Abubakar Aliyu, were also absent. Both agencies were given a final one-week opportunity to appear and respond to pending audit queries.

The committee directed that strongly worded letters be issued immediately to the defaulting agencies, outlining the unresolved issues.

Failure to comply within the one-week deadline will attract sanctions in line with the committee’s constitutional powers.

Lawmakers on the panel described the non-appearance as a serious affront to the National Assembly’s oversight responsibilities and a growing pattern of disregard for legislative summons by some government agencies.

They emphasised that audit queries are critical matters of public accountability and transparency that cannot be treated with indifference.

The ultimatum underscores the Senate’s determination to enforce financial discipline and ensure that public institutions properly account for their operations.

The committee has made it clear that the heads of the affected agencies must personally appear within seven days.