ABUJA — Gbas gbos break out for House of Representatives on Wednesday as lawmakers begin argue over one motion wey accuse Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of no remit more than ₦5.2 trillion operating surplus and another ₦11 trillion revenue wahala between 2016 and 2022.
The motion na from Bamidele Salam, Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC), based on wetin the committee don find so far from their investigation into government revenue wey enter through Remita as shown for the 2022 Auditor-General Report.
PAC talk say CBN get clear liability of ₦5.2 trillion wey dem never remit to federal government. Committee still find plenty discrepancies like:
₦954.3 million Remita charges wey CBN collect but no return;
₦11.09 billion difference between wetin CBN report and wetin PAC calculate;
₦3.28 billion wey suppose come back if dem add MPR interest of 27.25%;
Total figure difference of ₦19.8 billion for all CBN submissions.
Wahala start when one Rep from Kano, Ghali Mustapha Tijanni, move amendment make ad hoc committee handle the investigation. Plenty members vex, talk say PAC suppose continue the work, no new committee.
The argument quick turn rowdy as lawmakers begin shout on top each other, with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen dey try calm the chamber.
Another amendment from Ahmed Jaha talk say make House summon CBN governor and all agencies wey get hand for Remita revenue make dem appear before PAC. But some lawmakers try shout am down, cause near-chaos inside chamber.
Speaker Tajudeen vex, warn members say dem dey embarrass the House. He even caution some lawmakers like Mark Essiet and Kabir Maipalas, threaten disciplinary action if dem no respect order.
After calm return small, Jaha amendment get secondment from Akin Alabi, and when Speaker put the matter for vote, the shouts of “aye” and “nay” scatter again. After repeating the question two times, “aye” finally win.
With the motion adopted, House don summon CBN Governor and all officials wey dey handle Remita revenue make dem face PAC.
The committee go now investigate all alleged non-remittance and money discrepancy from 2015 to 2022 and make sure CBN follow Fiscal Responsibility Act, CBN Act and other financial rules.
