The Senate Public Accounts Committee has given Seplat Energy and three other oil companies 48 hours to appear before it and respond to queries contained in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 audit reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, on Tuesday, issued the ultimatum after expressing concern over the companies’ repeated failure to honour its invitations.
It warned that the affected companies could face the full weight of the National Assembly’s legislative powers if they fail to appear within the stipulated period.
The affected companies are Network E&P Nigeria Limited, All Grace Energy Limited, Aradel Energy Limited and Seplat Energy.
The issue came to a head after Senator Abdul Ningi called for sanctions against the companies, describing a letter from Network E&P Nigeria Limited to the committee as “disturbing and provocative.”
The company had reportedly told the committee that it was accountable to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission rather than the Senate panel.
Ningi, however, maintained that the National Assembly had the constitutional authority to summon individuals, companies and government agencies to provide explanations on matters under investigation.
“Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to invite anybody or agency for explanations on issues raised against them,” he said.
Backing the call for sanctions, Senator Shehu Kaka Lawan, representing Borno Central, urged the committee to exercise its constitutional powers against the companies that failed to respond to its invitations.
The chairman subsequently directed the Managing Director of Network E&P Nigeria Limited to appear before the committee within 48 hours.