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Reps Move to Compel CBN, Banks, NBS Over Farm Intervention Funds Probe
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing agricultural subsidies, intervention funds, aids and grants between 2015 and 2025 has warned that it will compel the appearance of defaulting government agencies and financial institutions over their failure to honour parliamentary invitations.
At an investigative hearing held on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex, the committee expressed frustration over the continued absence of key institutions and directed the Central Bank of Nigeria, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, SunTrust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and the National Bureau of Statistics to appear without fail.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Jamo Aminu, issued the warning after several invited bodies once again failed to attend despite repeated notices, as he warned that the committee will no longer tolerate what it described as disregard for the authority of the legislature.
“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.
“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,”Aminu said.
Following the resolution, the panel agreed to activate all constitutional mechanisms available to force the affected agencies and banks to appear and submit the required documents.
The committee is investigating trillions of naira spent on agricultural intervention programmes implemented by the Federal Government and the CBN from 2015 to September 2025, based on a House resolution passed on July 23, 2025.
The probe covers major schemes such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, the Agribusiness and Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme, the Nigerian Electricity Stabilisation Fund and other intervention windows.
While lamenting the non-appearance 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, the documents submitted were described as incomplete and insufficient.
As a result, the committee directed that the chief executives or appropriate heads of all concerned institutions must appear in person and gave the affected banks one week to submit comprehensive documentation 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 attempt to mislead the panel or submit falsified records would attract sanctions under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
In his opening remarks, the chairman maintained that the investigation was not targeted at any institution but was part of the House’s constitutional responsibility to ensure 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.
As the August 15 governorship poll in Osun State draws closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that 2,333,233 voters are registered to vote.
This was disclosed at the presentation of electronic voter registers to political parties by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola at the commission’s office in Osogbo on Thursday.
She said the exercise was provided for under the Electoral Act to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility in the electoral process.
Her words: “The total number of voters registered for the governorship election in the State stands at 2,339,233.” The statistics on the voters are presented in the document.
“The Commission is guided in this responsibility by Section 20 of the Electoral Act, 2026 (As Amended ), which mandates INEC to compile, maintain, update, and make available the Register of Voters. In addition, Section 19 of the Electoral Act, 2026 provides that copies of the Register of Voters shall be made available to political parties in both printed and electronic formats not later than thirty (30) days before a general election and fourteen (14) days before an off-cycle governorship election. This statutory provision underscores the Commission’s commitment to openness and accountability in election administration.
“The Electronic Register of Voters being presented today will enable political parties to review the list of eligible voters across the State ahead of the election. It provides an opportunity for parties to adequately plan their campaigns, engage with the electorate in a lawful and meaningful manner, and contribute to a more transparent and inclusive electoral process”.
The document presented showed Osogbo Local Government with the highest number of registered voters, at 167,704, followed by Ife-East Local Government with 128,515 and Olorunda Local Government with 123,063.
Ife-Central has 122,454 voters; Iwo has 106,814 voters; Ede-North is fifth with 96,644 voters; Irewole and Ifelodun local governments have 96,528 and 94,870, respectively; Ilesa-East and Ilesa-West follow with 89,491 and 86,699 voters; Oriade local government has 84,238, while Odo-Otin and Boripe local governments have 82,574 and 81,067, respectively.
The local governments with the three lowest registered voters are Ifedayo with 28,361, Boluwaduro with 29,797, and Atakumosa-West with 44,076.
The Nigeria Customs Service has arrested a suspected wildlife trafficker and rescued a captive baby gorilla during a raid in Kofar Mata, Kano State.
The arrest and rescue was made by NCS Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit alongside Focused Conservation, the Customs Police Unit and officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
According to the Officer-in-Charge of the NCS Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Anuhu Mani, the officers rescued infant gorilla had been transferred to veterinary care and is receiving specialised medical attention and rehabilitation.”
Mani said the operation targeted syndicates involved in the illicit trade and supply of protected primates within the Kano axis, adding that the success of the raid demonstrated the value of intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with conservation partners.
“Investigations are actively ongoing as we follow all actionable leads generated from this operation” he said.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the indefinite suspension of the services of Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the United States, effective from July 1.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi.
Akinlabi said that the development affected prospective travellers and Nigerians residing in the United States who required visas to enter Nigeria.
According to him, all applicants seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Consulates General of Nigeria in New York and Atlanta.
The Service Spokesman explained that the suspension of OIS Services would remain in force until further notice.
He however, clarified that the directive applied only to visa application submissions at the Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States.
He said the suspension did not affect Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
“Applicants can continue to apply for e-Visas through the official online portal,” he said.
Akinlabi said the service had put adequate measures in place to ensure the seamless submission, processing and issuance of visas in spite of the suspension of the Visa Application Centres.
He urged applicants to monitor the official communication channels of the NIS and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for updates on visa application procedures.
The NIS spokesman expressed appreciation to applicants for their understanding and cooperation during the period.
He however, reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Immigration Service to efficient service delivery.
Osun 2026: 2.33 million voters registered for governorship poll – INEC
Customs rescue baby gorilla, arrest suspected wildlife trafficker in Kano
Nigeria Immigration Service Suspends U.S. Visa Application Centres Indefinitely
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