Nigeria’s House of Representatives Rescinds Bill on Vice-Presidential and Gubernatorial Immunity The House of Representatives has reversed its earlier stance on a proposed bill aimed at stripping the Vice President, state governors, and their deputies of immunity from prosecution. This decision came after the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion urging lawmakers to reconsider their position. Additionally, the legislative body also rescinded its decision on a separate bill seeking to abolish the death penalty in Nigeria. Both legislative proposals had previously passed second reading during plenary on Wednesday but were reviewed and overturned on Thursday. ? Read more about Nigeria’s legislative processes on BBC READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
…Payment Deadline Set for August 2025 The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has successfully secured a commitment from seven leading oil and gas companies in Nigeria to remit a total sum of $37,435,094.52 (approximately ₦58 billion) to the Federation Account before August 2025. This resolution follows an in-depth financial audit by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which identified inconsistencies in royalty payments within the petroleum sector. The Committee’s investigation highlights a broader concern over revenue leakages, prompting urgent corrective measures. Oil Companies Pledge Debt Settlement According to Rep Akin Rotimi, House Spokesperson, the agreed repayment forms part of a ₦9 trillion outstanding liability flagged by the Auditor General for the Federation in the 2021 report submitted to the National Assembly. The debts, accrued over four years, reflect persistent financial gaps in the oil and gas industry. Beyond these seven companies, further investigations uncovered a massive $1.7 billion (₦2.5 trillion) in unpaid royalties, owed by 45 oil and gas firms as of December 31, 2024. The following seven companies have acknowledged their outstanding debts and pledged full repayment before August 2025: Nine Companies Dispute Figures, Demand Reconciliation Nine additional companies, with a combined outstanding debt of $429.2 million, have contested the reported figures and requested a reconciliation process with NUPRC to verify their actual liabilities. These companies include: The Committee has mandated that this reconciliation process be completed within two weeks, after which the companies must settle their confirmed debts promptly. 28 Companies Fail to Respond to Public Notices Meanwhile, 28 companies with a cumulative debt of $1.23 billion (₦1.8 trillion) have failed to respond to public notices or honor the Committee’s invitations. These companies include: The Committee has granted these companies a final grace period of one week to provide necessary documentation and appear before the panel. Failure to comply will result in legislative and regulatory penalties, ensuring full enforcement of royalty obligations. Full Compliance Achieved by Two Companies Only two companies were found to have fully settled their royalty obligations: The House Committee on Public Accounts has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to prevent further financial discrepancies in the sector. Ensuring Financial Accountability in the Oil Sector The House of Representatives has emphasized the need for strict adherence to statutory royalty payments, stating that all oil and gas firms must fulfill their financial responsibilities to support Nigeria’s economic development. For more information on regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, visit the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) official website: NUPRC. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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The Nigerian House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill proposing the creation of an Independent Authority responsible for the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties in Nigeria. The bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Marcus Onobun (Edo State), aims to shift these responsibilities from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a new autonomous body. Key Highlights of the Bill Why an Independent Authority? Co-sponsor Marcus Onobun emphasized the need for a distinct regulatory body, stating, “INEC should not regulate political parties while also conducting elections. Establishing an independent authority will enhance adherence to constitutional guidelines and improve the transparency of electoral processes.” Next Steps After receiving widespread support through a voice vote led by Speaker Abbas, the bill has been forwarded to the Committees on Electoral Matters and Political Party Matters for further legislative scrutiny. External Link For more insights into electoral reforms in Nigeria, visit INEC’s Official Website. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Shakirat Madein, to submit the Federal Government’s 2022 Consolidated Financial Statement to the Auditor General, as mandated by the 1999 Constitution. During a recent session in Abuja, the committee, led by Rep. Bamidele Salam, voiced concerns over the poor execution of the capital portion of the 2024 budget, which the Accountant General reported at a mere 25%. The committee noted that this limited implementation could hinder Nigeria’s economic growth objectives. Rep. Salam highlighted Nigeria’s lag in the timely submission and review of audit reports compared to countries like Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda. He attributed this setback to the consistent delay in the submission of financial statements by the Accountant General’s office. Addressing the issue of low revenue remittances from government-owned enterprises, the PAC chairman stressed the need for more rigorous steps to prevent financial leakages. He recommended automating revenue collection processes and conducting regular audits to ensure accountability. The committee further instructed the Accountant General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior to urgently resolve outstanding issues regarding the non-automation of revenue collection from foreign missions. This measure aims to improve transparency and efficiency in public financial management. Rep. Salam also revealed that the 2021 Auditor General’s report, recently submitted to the National Assembly, would be reviewed promptly after the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill. In her defense, Mrs. Madein cited the delay in submitting the 2022 financial statement as a result of insufficient data on government revenue from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). However, she assured the committee that significant progress had been made and committed to completing the process within two months. She also briefed the committee on various initiatives aimed at improving financial accountability, including a review of the 2009 Financial Regulations, which is awaiting the Federal Executive Council’s approval for implementation. READ ALSO Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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The House of Representatives’ Committee on Defence has urged the Nigerian government to allocate more funding to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Committee Chair Babajimi Benson emphasized the critical role DIA plays in the country’s security framework during an oversight visit to its headquarters in Abuja. He explained that DIA, which handles both domestic and international intelligence, is central to tackling Nigeria’s complex security challenges. Benson pointed out that there are three intelligence agencies in Nigeria: the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and DIA. While DSS focuses solely on domestic security and NIA handles foreign intelligence, DIA combines both functions, making it a unique and vital component of Nigeria’s security apparatus. Despite its crucial role, Benson noted that DIA’s budget is significantly lower than those of DSS and NIA. He called for a substantial increase in funding to ensure that DIA receives adequate resources to continue its critical work. Benson also highlighted the improvements in national security, attributing much of the progress to the effective operations of DIA. The committee plans to recommend this funding increase to the president, urging him to recognize DIA as an essential part of Nigeria’s security strategy. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
