The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, was invited by the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday to appear before it without fail on March 5, 2024, regarding problems pertaining to purported leakage with the e-payment solution platform, REMITA.
Members of the house were furious, claiming that Cardoso’s nonattendance at prior meetings of the committee “has greatly impeded this committee’s investigative process on revenue leakages through the REMITA platform.”
“The Public Accounts Committee reserves the right to summon any public service offender in Nigeria to give evidence, produce any document in his possession and under his control.
“Failure to comply with this civil invitation will attract the issuance of a warrant of arrest against you in accordance with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges Act 2017) (Sections 2 & 3) and the 1999 CFRN (as amended).
“Consequently, the committee resolved to grant you one last opportunity to appear,” this was stated in a letter signed by the committee chairman, Bamidele Salam.
The letter was received on Tuesday 27th of February 2024, with the title, “RE: Investigation of revenue leakages through REMITA platform and non-compliance substantially with the standard operating procedure and other allied service level agreements 2023.”
It read; “You are strongly advised to take good advantage of this invitation and appear before the committee unfailingly on Tuesday 5th March 2024 at 10 am in the Meeting Room 446, House of Representatives’ New Building to respond to the issues that will arise during the hearing session.
“Please refer to your representation before the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, by an Assistant Director without a written letter to that effect. Be advised that the committee does not allow representation. All chief accounting officers are to appear in person to defend their offices.”
“The committee frowns on this and wishes to remind you of the relevant constitutional provisions Sections 62 and 89(1) (a, b, c & d) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
