The Senate, through its Public Accounts Committee, on Tuesday gave Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria Limited, All Grace Energy Limited and Aradel Energy Limited 48 hours to appear before it over queries raised against them in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 audit reports by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI.
The companies were directed to respond to issues contained in the audit reports or risk the invocation of legislative powers against them.
The ultimatum was issued by the Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo-led committee following displeasure expressed by some members over the absence of the companies.
First to call for sanction was Senator Abdul Ningi, Bauchi Central, who described a letter written by Network E&P Nigeria Limited to the committee as disturbing and provocative.
In the letter, the company said it reports to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC.
“The Senate and by extension, the National Assembly, is the custodian of Nigeria law that has power to invite anybody or agency for explanations on issues raised against them,” Ningi said, citing Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
In support, Senator Shehu Kaka Lawan, (Borno Central), called for the invocation of constitutional powers against the management of the affected companies.
“Having failed to honour invitation of this committee two consecutive times, the Managing Director of Network E&P Nigeria Limited should appear before us unfailingly on Thursday this week or risk full invocation of legislative powers against him,” Lawan said.
Similar ultimatums were issued against the Managing Directors of All Grace Energy Limited, Aradel Energy Limited and Seplat Energy.
But Dubri Oil Company Limited, which appeared before the committee, defended the $3.025 million royalty and gas flare debts recorded against it in the NEITI report.
NEITI had alleged, based on submissions by NUPRC in 2025, that Dubri Oil owed $2.378 million for gas flare and $646,605.55 for oil production, totalling $3.025 million.
The company’s representative, Soyode Olusoji Clement, faulted the query, saying the report was compiled during a reconciliation issue with NUPRC.
He told the committee that the reconciliation had since been resolved and no debt was outstanding. He presented documents to that effect, which the committee said it would study critically before issuing a clean bill of health.
NEITI Audit: You have 48hrs to appear for probe – Senate to four oil companies