Reps threaten to block accounts of non-compliant government agencies
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has issued a stern warning to government agencies that have failed to render accurate accounts of their revenue profile or remit funds appropriately to government coffers.
The committee threatened to order the Accountant General of the Federation to block the accounts of such non-compliant agencies.
During a revenue monitoring exercise on Tuesday, the vice chairman of the committee, Saidu Abdullahi, expressed dissatisfaction with the non-appearance of several agencies despite invitations extended to them.
”Out of the eight agencies invited, only two, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and the National Health Insurance Authority, honoured the committee’s invitation,” he lamented.
Abdullahi reiterated the importance of agencies fulfilling their obligations, stating that failure to appear before the committee would result in appropriate actions being taken.
He specifically mentioned the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, National Broadcasting Commission, National Examination Council, and National Inland Waterways Authority as agencies that did not attend or communicate reasons for their absence.
“We may write to the Office of the Accountant General to block their account,” Abdullahi warned.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has refuted allegations made by an online newspaper accusing some committee members of accepting a $140 million bribe from Binance CEO, Mr Richard Teng, to cover up alleged crimes committed by the firm in Nigeria.
Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, addressed the media during a press briefing at the National Assembly, dismissing the allegations as false.
The committee’s stance follows a motion passed by the House on May 8, 2024, calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape of Binance executive, Mr. Najeem Anjarwalla, from the custody of the National Security Adviser.
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