The Senate Public Accounts Committee has given Seplat Energy and three other oil firms 48 hours to appear before it over allegations contained in NEITI audit reports for 2021 to 2023.
Apart from Seplat, the companies listed are Network E & P Nigeria Limited, All Grace Energy Limited and Aradel Energy Limited. The committee said they risk legislative action if they fail to honour the summons.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, issued the ultimatum on Tuesday after members expressed displeasure over the companies’ repeated non-appearance.
The issue generated heated debate after Senator Abdul Ningi revealed that Network E & P wrote to the committee stating that NUPRC was its only regulatory body.
Ningi condemned the position, calling it an affront to the Senate. He insisted that the legislature can invite any individual or institution under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
“The Senate and by extension, the National Assembly, is the custodian of Nigeria law that has power to invite anybody or agency for explanations on issues raised against them,” he argued.
Senator Shehu Kaka Lawan, Borno Central, backed Ningi and urged the committee to invoke its powers. He specifically called out Network E & P for ignoring two invitations.
Following this, the committee ordered the MD of Network E & P to appear on Thursday or face sanctions. The same directive was extended to Seplat, All Grace Energy and Aradel Energy.
In a separate case, Dubri Oil Company Limited appeared before the committee and disputed a $3.025 million debt for royalty and gas flare contained in the NEITI report.
Dubri’s representative, Soyode Olusoji Clement, said the figure came up during a reconciliation issue with NUPRC that has now been resolved. He submitted documents to that effect, and the committee said it would review them before issuing a clean bill of health.
