REPS MOVE TO ISSUE BENCH WARRANT ON BOA MD, ARCN DG
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has warned that it may issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sontinrin, and the DG of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban.
Committee Chairman, Dr. Chike Okafor, issued the warning during an investigative hearing into the alleged misuse of N1.2 trillion agricultural intervention funds. He said both agencies repeatedly ignored invitations to appear before the committee.
Okafor noted that some organizations had cooperated with the investigation, while BOA and ARCN failed to provide acceptable reasons for their absence. He insisted the panel would use its full parliamentary powers if they fail to appear at the next hearing.
The committee also questioned Prospect Microfinance Bank and the CBN over conflicting records on funds disbursed and recovered for poultry farmers.