The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing agricultural subsidies, intervention funds, aids and grants has warned that it will compel the Central Bank of Nigeria, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, several commercial banks and the National Bureau of Statistics to appear before it over their continued disregard for parliamentary summons.
At an investigative hearing on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex, the committee expressed frustration over what it described as repeated snubs by key institutions invited to account for their roles in agricultural intervention programmes between 2015 and 2025.
The panel directed the CBN, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, SunTrust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and the National Bureau of Statistics to appear without fail, warning that failure to comply would force the House to invoke its constitutional powers to compel their attendance.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Jamo Aminu, issued the warning following the absence of several invited agencies despite multiple notices.
“It is disheartening that despite repeated invitations from the House of Representatives to government agencies, including agencies linked to the United Nations system, some have refused to appear or have outrightly ignored this investigative process,” Aminu said.
He disclosed that the committee had resolved to activate all constitutional mechanisms available to deal with defaulting institutions.
“On this premise, I am constrained to move a motion to compel NIRSAL MFB, the Central Bank of Nigeria, SunTrust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and the National Bureau of Statistics to appear before this committee,” he added.
The committee is investigating trillions of naira reportedly spent on agricultural intervention programmes implemented by the Federal Government and the CBN between 2015 and September 2025, following a House resolution passed on July 23, 2025. The probe covers major schemes such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, the Agribusiness/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme, the Nigerian Electricity Stabilisation Fund and other intervention windows.While expressing displeasure over the absence of some institutions, the committee also criticised the quality of submissions made by Jaiz Bank, Unity Bank, Sterling Bank and Access Bank. Although representatives of the banks attended the hearing, they failed to submit complete documentation as required.
As a result, the panel directed that the chief executives or appropriate heads of all concerned institutions must personally appear before it. The affected banks were also given one week to submit detailed and comprehensive documents strictly in line with the committee’s guidelines.
“This committee will not accept half-truths, cosmetic compliance or administrative evasions,” Aminu warned, adding that any misleading or falsified information would attract sanctions under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.In his opening remarks, the chairman stressed that the investigation was not intended as a witch-hunt but as a constitutional responsibility aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and value for money in public spending on agriculture.
“Our focus is not merely on how much was released, but how the funds were applied, who benefited, what was achieved, and what value accrued to the Nigerian people,” he said.
He further disclosed that the committee would conduct forensic reviews and on-site inspections of ministries, agencies, banks and project locations to verify submissions and confirm the physical existence and impact of funded projects.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that during the inauguration of the committee last week, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Rep. Sunday Umeha, pledged the full support of the House to the probe, warning that no institution would be shielded from scrutiny.
“There can be no national security without food security,” the Speaker declared, noting that despite massive agricultural spending over the past decade, food prices remain high and food insecurity persists.
“It is unacceptable that trillions of naira were committed to agriculture with little impact on food security, rural livelihoods and import dependence,” he said.
The Speaker further warned that any Ministry, Department or Agency, as well as any Participating Financial Institution, that fails to honour invitations, withholds information or provides false records would face summons, contempt proceedings or warrants in line with constitutional provisions and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
“No institution is above the law. No agency is immune from oversight,” he stated.
