REPS SUMMON AUDITOR-GENERAL OVER AGRICULTURAL INTERVENTION FUNDS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The House of Representatives has summoned the Auditor-General of the Federation, alongside the Ministers of Finance and Agriculture, over concerns surrounding the utilisation of agricultural intervention funds released between 2015 and 2025.
The summons followed what lawmakers described as poor documentation and gaps in accountability presented during a committee hearing at the National Assembly. Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Mr. Jamo Aminu, expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of comprehensive audit reports on key agricultural subsidy and intervention programmes, stressing that the probe is aimed at addressing food insecurity, rising food prices and questions about the impact of past interventions.
A representative of the Auditor-General’s office attributed the delay in audit reports to the failure of the Ministry of Agriculture to provide necessary records, noting that repeated requests for documents had not been met. He also urged the committee to widen its investigation to include both the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance, given their roles in fund management and oversight.
The committee has directed all concerned officials to appear before it on February 3, warning that failure to comply would attract legislative sanctions.