The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council has issued a final warning to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that failed to honour its invitations.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Yusuf Gagdi, gave the warning during the committee’s meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Gagdi described the agencies’ absence as a serious affront to the constitutional oversight powers of the House of Representatives and an unacceptable disregard for the authority of the National Assembly, which represents the sovereign will of the Nigerians.
He said; “It must be clearly understood that invitations issued by a duly constituted Committee of the House of Representatives are not matters of discretion. They are issued pursuant to the constitutional powers vested in the National Assembly under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Compliance is therefore a legal obligation, not an act of courtesy.
“Accordingly, the Committee hereby issues this as the final notice to all defaulting Ministries, Departments and Agencies. They are directed to appear before the Committee on Thursday with all relevant officers and documents requested in the Committee’s correspondence.”
“Let there be no misunderstanding: Thursday is the final opportunity for every defaulting agency to comply voluntarily with the lawful directives of this Committee.
“Any Ministry, Department or Agency that fails to appear without lawful justification will leave the Committee with no alternative but to invoke every constitutional and statutory power available to the House of Representatives to compel compliance and ensure accountability. The Committee will not hesitate to recommend and pursue every sanction permitted by law against any person or institution that deliberately obstructs or frustrates this investigation,” Mr. Gagdi warned.
He said that the investigation is in the national interest.
“It is not targeted at any individual or institution but is aimed at establishing the facts, protecting the integrity of public administration, safeguarding the rule of law, and ensuring that no public office or institution operates outside the framework of the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The Lawmaker noted that the Committee remains committed to conducting its assignment professionally, fairly, transparently and without fear or favour.
“However, no agency of government, regardless of its status or perceived influence, will be permitted to undermine the constitutional authority of the House of Representatives or frustrate the discharge of its legislative responsibilities.
“Every public institution is hereby advised to treat this final warning with the seriousness it deserves,“Mr. Gagdi added.
