The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee has issued a warning to summon the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and other top government officials, including the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, over the alleged loss of $2.4 billion resulting from the illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil.
The committee, chaired by Mark Gbillah, had invited Malami, Ahmed, and other officials to participate in the probe of inflows from recoveries made by whistleblowers and expenditures. However, the officials failed to appear before the committee on Wednesday, prompting the committee to issue a final opportunity for them to appear and provide answers.
Chairman Gbillah stated that if the government officials fail to honor the invitation once again, they will be summoned, and further statutory powers will be exercised. The committee expressed disappointment that the AGF and the finance minister had not responded to any correspondence from the committee regarding the matter.
According to the chairman, documents from the Accountant General’s office revealed that payments have been made to whistleblowers and recoveries from whistleblowers, but there is no evidence to indicate that these funds were expended in accordance with the relevant laws.
The alleged loss of $2.4 billion from the illegal sale of crude oil is a significant concern for the committee, and it is determined to hold the responsible officials accountable. The committee’s probe aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and recoveries from whistleblowers.
The House of Representatives has a constitutional mandate to exercise oversight over the actions of government officials, and the committee’s decision to summon the AGF, the finance minister, and other officials underscores the importance of upholding transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
As the probe continues, Nigerians eagerly await the outcome and hope that those responsible for the alleged loss of $2.4 billion will be held accountable for their actions. The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee is committed to ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of all Nigerians and not misappropriated through illegal activities such as the sale of crude oil without proper authorization.
