The Senate has directed Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria, All Grace Energy and Aradel Energy to appear before its Public Accounts Committee within 48 hours over outstanding audit queries.
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‎The companies were summoned after failing to attend an investigative hearing held in Abuja on Tuesday, where lawmakers were expected to question them over issues raised in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 audit reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
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‎The committee chairman, Abdul Ningi, described the companies’ absence as unacceptable and expressed concern over their failure to honour the invitation.
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‎Ningi also rejected the argument reportedly made by one of the companies that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission was its only regulator. He said such a position showed a misunderstanding of the constitutional powers of the National Assembly.
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‎According to him, Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution give lawmakers the authority to summon individuals, companies and government agencies to provide explanations on matters of public interest.
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‎A member of the committee, Shehu Kaka, called on the panel to apply its constitutional powers if the companies continued to disregard its invitations.
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‎Kaka said the managing director of Network E&P Nigeria and representatives of the other affected companies must appear before the committee on Thursday or face legislative action.
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‎Meanwhile, Dubri Oil Company appeared before the committee to respond to an alleged $3.25 million debt relating to royalties and gas flaring.
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‎The company’s representative, Soyode Olusoji, explained that the reported liability resulted from reconciliation issues with NUPRC. He said the audit findings were prepared while discussions between the company and the regulator were still ongoing.
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‎NEITI, relying on information provided by NUPRC in 2025, had reported that Dubri Oil owed $3.25 million. The figure included $2.378 million in gas flare liabilities and $646,605.55 associated with oil production activities.
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‎Olusoji, however, told the lawmakers that the reconciliation had been completed and that Dubri Oil no longer had any outstanding liability. He submitted relevant documents to support the company’s position and asked the committee to review them before reaching a decision.
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‎The committee said it would examine the documents submitted as it continues its investigation into the audit queries.