Senate gives oil companies 48 hours to respond

The Senate has given Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria Ltd, and other oil companies 48 hours to show up before its Public Accounts Committee.

This order came after the firms did not attend an investigative hearing in Abuja on Tuesday. They were supposed to answer audit questions from reports that the lawmakers reviewed.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that other companies also receiving the ultimatum include All Grace Energy Ltd and Aradel Energy.

The audit questions are from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 reports submitted by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

Abdul Ningi, the Chairman of the Senate committee, criticized the absence of the companies. He called their behavior disturbing and unacceptable.

Mr Ningi specifically pointed out a letter from one company. The letter claimed that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) was its only regulator.

He said this view showed a misunderstanding of the Senate’s constitutional powers and responsibilities in Nigeria’s democracy.

"The Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly, is the custodian of Nigerian law and has power to invite anybody or agency," Senator Ningi stated.

He added that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution give lawmakers the right to summon people, organizations, and agencies to explain public issues.

Another senator, Shehu Kaka, urged the committee to use its constitutional powers against the companies if they keep ignoring invitations.

"Having failed to honour the invitation of this committee two times in a row, the Managing Director of Network E&P Nigeria Ltd and others must come," Mr Kaka said.

He insisted they must appear before the committee on Thursday this week. Otherwise, they risk facing full legislative actions against them.