The House of Representatives has threatened to issue warrant of arrest on the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, as well as the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, if they fail to appear for its on-going probe on sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil amounting to over $2.4 billion, and crude oil export to global destinations.
The House ad-hoc committee investigating an alleged loss of over $2.4 billion from illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015, including crude oil export gave this indication at its resumed hearing yesterday.
Chairman of the committee, Mark Gbillah, in his ruling, said if the ministers failed to honour its invitation again, the panel will be forced to invoke the instrument of summons and all other necessary powers the National Assembly can exercise, which include warrant of arrest.
The committee invited Malami to appear before it and provide response to the allegations that he approved the payment of the sum of $200 million to two private firms as consultancy services fees on whistle blowers recoveries.
The panel equally demanded the appearance of the Finance Minister to explain her role in the said approvals and payment without providing details of actual recoveries from whistle-blowers.
The committee’s chairman expressed his displeasure over the uncooperative attitude of the ministers to the on-going investigation despite several letters of invitation.
He further said that the panel is interested in knowing where the Attorney-General derives his powers to approve payment of funds meant for the federation without recourse to the Legislature through formal request by the Executive.
