The Senate Public Accounts Committee has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria Limited, All Grace Energy Limited, and Aradel Energy Limited. These companies must appear before the committee to address audit concerns identified by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) for 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Led by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, the committee warned that failing to respond would result in the use of legislative authority against these firms. This decision followed frustrations regarding the companies’ repeated absences. Senator Abdul Ningi criticized a letter from Network E&P Nigeria Limited, which claimed the company reports solely to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), calling the statement provocative. Ningi emphasized that the National Assembly holds the constitutional power under Sections 88 and 89 to summon entities for accountability.
Senator Shehu Kaka Lawan supported this stance, insisting that the management of Network E&P and the other named firms must appear by Thursday or face strict consequences. Meanwhile, Dubri Oil Company Limited appeared before the panel to address allegations of owing $3.025 million in royalties and gas flare fees. Company representative Soyode Olusoji Clement argued that the debt originated from a reconciliation error with the NUPRC that has already been settled. The committee is currently reviewing the documents provided by Dubri Oil to verify their claims.
