Reps Panel Threatens Constitutional Action Over Agricultural Funds Probe
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating Agricultural Subsidies, Intervention Funds, Aids and Grants Programmes from 2015 to 2025 has threatened constitutional action against some government agencies and financial institutions.
The threat followed their failure to honour invitations to appear before the committee. The warning was issued Wednesday during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex. The committee directed NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), SunTrust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to appear without fail.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Jamo Aminu, condemned the persistent disregard for parliamentary invitations saying several institutions ignored repeated notices from the House. Aminu described the development as disheartening, noting that some agencies linked to international organisations also failed to attend. He said the committee had resolved to activate constitutional measures to compel compliance.
The panel is probing trillions of naira spent on agricultural intervention programmes between 2015 and September 2025 following a House resolution of July 23, 2025. The investigation covers key schemes including the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, AGSMEIS, Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme and the Nigerian Electricity Stabilisation Fund.
Other intervention initiatives are also under review just as the committee criticised submissions made by Jaiz Bank, Unity Bank, Sterling Bank and Access Bank.Although their representatives attended the hearing, they allegedly failed to provide complete documentation. The banks have been given one week to submit detailed records as Aminu warned that misleading or falsified documents would attract sanctions under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
He stressed that the probe is not a witch hunt but a constitutional duty adding that the committee would conduct forensic reviews and on site inspections to verify claims. Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas represented by a lawmaker Hon. Sunday Umeha, backed the committee’s work. He warned that any institution that refuses to cooperate would face summons, contempt proceedings or warrants under the law.
