Senate probes alleged N105.66bn financial infractions by MDAs

The Senate has vowed to penalise any head of Federal Government agencies indicted for financial infractions in the report submitted to the National Assembly by the Auditor General for the Federation (AuGF).

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Senator Garba Madoki, gave the warning at a one-day roundtable conference with the theme: “Strengthening Legislative Compliance for Effective Governance.”

The workshop was organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), for the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance.

Madoki lamented the rate at which heads of the MDAs have been shunning Senate summons and warned that further disregard for the resolutions of the red chamber would no longer be tolerated.

He said: “We are going to be very strict on the report of the Auditor-General for the Federation. We are taking notes of those items.

“In a very short while, measures are going to be taken against anybody who refuses to comply with Senate resolutions on the matter.

“Where compliance is not done, I can guarantee you that actions will be taken against whoever is infringing on those reports.”
The AuGF had a few months ago, expressed concerns over irregularities and weaknesses in financial regulations across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government, especially in the disbursement and utilisation of public funds.

The AuGF noted that transparency and accountability in government’s financial management systems could not be over-emphasised, particularly given the country’s rapidly dwindling revenues as well as its impact on annual budget.

The Auditor-General, in his latest annual report on the financial conduct of public institutions, currently before the two chambers of the National Assembly, had revealed that a total sum of N105.66 billion had been expended by MDAs in breach of extant rules and regulations.

The report stated that N18.36 billion was for contracts awarded without regard to the Public Procurement Act.

The AuGF also expressed concern over the inherent weaknesses in the system despite his previous recommendations to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning as well as the Accountant General of the Federation for prompt actions.

However Senator Madoki said the Senate Committee on Public Accounts was already dealing with the AuGF report.
He said: “We will take this job seriously and where sanctions are required, we will not hesitate to sanction any MDA that violates the laws of this country, either inadvertently or willfully.”

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his speech read on the occasion by his deputy, Jibrin Barau, also said the 10th National Assembly would not take it likely with any head of the MDA who flout its resolutions.

He said: “As representatives of the people, one of our core mandates is to ensure that the resolutions and laws passed by the legislature are implemented effectively.

“This task is not just about oversight; it is about ensuring that the aspirations of Nigerians, as articulated through their representatives, are translated into meaningful actions and positive outcomes.

“Legislative compliance is critical to the success of governance. Without it, the effectiveness of the National Assembly is undermined, public trust in government is eroded, and the development agenda is stalled.

“Our responsibility goes beyond enacting laws—it extends to ensuring their implementation by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and holding those who fail to comply accountable.”

The acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Barr. Kamorudeen Ogunlana, said legislative compliance was not merely a legal framework but the backbone of good governance.

He said, “It ensures that our laws are not just enacted but are effectively implemented and respected throughout our society.

“Through robust legislative processes and compliance mechanisms, we can enhance citizen trust and contidence in our institutions, paving the way for sustainable development and social justice.”

The Director General, National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, said that the task of ensuring compliance with the laws, resolutions, and policies by MDAs is often fraught with challenges.

Sulaiman listed the challenges to include, “Weak enforcement mechanisms, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and a lack of political will”

He said the development could undermine the impact of legislative decisions, thereby eroding public trust in governance.”