A heated session erupted on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday over a motion probing the alleged non-remittance of ₦5.2 trillion in operating surpluses and ₦11 trillion in revenue discrepancies by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) between 2016 and 2022.
The motion, moved by Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Bamidele Salam, followed revelations from the 2022 Auditor-General’s Report and an ongoing PAC probe into government revenues processed through the Remita platform.
According to the PAC findings, the CBN is yet to remit ₦5.2 trillion in operating surpluses due to the Federal Government over a six-year period.
The Committee also highlighted other discrepancies:
₦954 million in alleged unrefunded Remita transaction charges.
₦11 billion gap between CBN’s declared collections and PAC’s independent calculations.
₦3.28 billion due with interest applied at the Monetary Policy Rate of 27.25%.
A ₦19.8 billion variance in figures provided by the apex bank.
Tempers flared when Rep. Ghali Mustapha Tijanni (Kano) moved for the investigation to be handed to an ad hoc committee, rather than PAC. The suggestion was met with strong opposition, sparking loud protests and disorder in the chamber.
Some lawmakers insisted the matter remained under PAC’s purview, with Rep. Ahmed Jaha (Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza) tabling an amendment directing the CBN Governor and other officials to appear before the committee.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, struggled to restore order, chastising lawmakers for what he described as unruly and embarrassing conduct.
“You are shouting as if putting the question will take away a right that belongs to you. This is not the behaviour of an honourable member,” he warned.
He specifically cautioned Hon. Mark Esset and Hon. Kabir Maipalas, threatening disciplinary action.
“If you don’t stop this behaviour, we will take you to ethics. I do not want to set an example in this House, but you are forcing me to,” Abbas declared.
After repeated attempts to conduct a vote, the motion and amendment were eventually adopted, with loud “aye” votes prevailing.
With this resolution, the House summoned the CBN Governor and officials involved in Remita revenue management to appear before PAC.
The Committee is now tasked with investigating alleged non-remittance and revenue discrepancies from 2015 to 2022 and ensuring compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the CBN Act and financial regulations.
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