SENATE THREATENS SANCTIONS AGAINST MDAs OVER FAILURE TO HONOUR OVERSIGHT INVITATIONS
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By; Aina Daniel
The Senate has warned that heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) who fail to honour invitations from its committees will face constitutional and legislative sanctions.
The warning followed concerns over the repeated refusal of several government agencies to appear before the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Sani Musa, for oversight engagements.
During Thursday’s plenary, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, lawmakers unanimously adopted a resolution directing all government agencies to comply with invitations from Senate committees or risk sanctions in accordance with the Constitution and other relevant laws.
Opening the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi criticised the persistent non-compliance by some agencies, describing it as a direct challenge to the authority of the National Assembly and a threat to democratic governance.
He proposed that the Senate issue a final warning to defaulting agencies, formally notify President Bola Tinubu of the situation, and withhold budgetary allocations from institutions that continue to ignore legislative invitations.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole absolved President Tinubu of responsibility, insisting that the heads of the affected agencies should be held accountable for their actions.
According to him, many of the agencies had also failed to comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and Treasury circulars, describing such conduct as detrimental to the country’s economy.
Former Abia State Governor and Senator Oji Uzor Kalu argued that the Senate already possesses sufficient constitutional powers to compel attendance without involving the Executive.
He cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations and issue warrants to compel the appearance of individuals who refuse to honour its invitations.
Senator Halilu Ahmed also reminded lawmakers that Section 89(1)(d) of the Constitution expressly authorises the National Assembly to issue warrants to enforce compliance where necessary.
While supporting stricter enforcement, some senators urged restraint, stressing that the Senate should exercise its constitutional powers with decorum and due process.
Following the debate, the Senate called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and all ministers to ensure that agencies under their supervision promptly honour invitations from the National Assembly.
Lawmakers further resolved that any agency or institution that deliberately obstructs legislative oversight or refuses to honour Senate invitations would be sanctioned under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and the Senate Standing Orders.
A proposal seeking the immediate issuance of bench warrants against defaulting agency heads was, however, withdrawn after procedural objections were raised during deliberations, while another prayer in the motion was also expunged before its adoption.
In a separate resolution, the Senate also directed all MDAs to submit their audited financial statements regularly to the relevant Senate committees, in line with Section 85(2) of the Constitution.
Sponsor of the motion, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero, said the timely submission of audited accounts is essential for effective legislative oversight and accountability in the management of public funds.
The resolutions underscore the Senate’s determination to strengthen oversight functions, improve transparency, and ensure greater accountability across government institutions.
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