The Senate has extended the deadline given to the committee probing the N30 trillion Ways and Means secured by the Federal Government from the Central Bank of Nigeria under Godwin Emefiele. The extension was granted following a request by the chairman of the panel, Senator Isah Jibrin, (APC, Kogi East), on Thursday.
At the inauguration of the panel on March 11, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had given the 17-member panel six weeks to probe the Ways and Means. However, the panel found it necessary to request more time due to the complexity and volume of documents involved in the investigation.
The panel resumed physical meetings on Tuesday after receiving more documents from the office of the Accountant General. This new set of documents is crucial for the investigation, and the committee members need adequate time to review them thoroughly. Senator Jibrin stated, “Yes, the documents have come from the AGF and distributed to all panel members. At the moment, we are all studying it and once that is concluded we will resume physical meetings hopefully by next week.”
He emphasized the importance of due diligence in the investigation. “Nigerians can be assured that we will ensure due diligence and see that we do not let them down. Like I earlier said, we had never stopped working on the probe, we just needed more documents and now that we have them, nothing can hold us back,” he added.
The significance of the probe into the N30 trillion Ways and Means cannot be overstated. The committee’s work is critical to ensuring transparency and accountability in the Federal Government’s financial dealings. The funds in question, secured by the Federal Government from the Central Bank of Nigeria, need to be scrutinized to determine the legality and appropriateness of their use.
Upon receiving the new documents, Senator Jibrin approached the Senate at plenary to request more time for the committee to study the documents and extend its probe. This request was made to ensure that the committee can conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation. The Senate agreed to the extension, recognizing the importance of the committee’s work and the need for a detailed examination of the documents.
The PUNCH had on April 26 reported that Senator Jibrin told their correspondent that the panel would seek an extension of the probe. He said, “The Senate has been on recess for about a month now, we will seek an extension when we resume. We will ensure that a thorough job is done.”
The committee’s work is ongoing, and the additional time granted will allow them to complete their investigation with the necessary attention to detail. The importance of this probe lies in its potential to uncover any irregularities or misconduct in the use of the N30 trillion Ways and Means. It is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the Federal Government’s financial management and ensuring that public funds are used appropriately.
In conclusion, the Senate’s decision to extend the deadline for the committee probing the N30 trillion Ways and Means is a positive step towards ensuring a thorough and comprehensive investigation. The additional time will allow the committee to review all relevant documents and conduct their work with the diligence and scrutiny that such a significant probe requires. The committee’s efforts are vital for promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in the Federal Government’s financial dealings.
