A motion by the Public Accounts Committee over the alleged ₦16 trillion non-remittance by the CBN triggered chaotic scenes in the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives on Wednesday descended into a rowdy session following disagreements among lawmakers over the appropriate committee to summon the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Yemi Cardoso, over the alleged non-remittance of about ₦16 trillion revenue to the Federal Government.
The disagreement trailed the consideration of a motion titled “Non-Remittance of over Five (5) Trillion Naira Operating Surplus and Eleven (11) Trillion Naira Government Revenue by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)”, moved by the Chairman of the House Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun).
Moving the motion, Rep. Salam urged the House to summon the CBN Governor to appear before the House on Tuesday December 16, 2025 by 11:00 a.m. to explain the non-remittance of the identified revenues and present a concrete plan for the immediate payment of all outstanding sums into designated Federal Government accounts.
Tension, however, erupted when Rep. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani (NNPP, Kano) proposed an amendment seeking the constitution of an ad-hoc committee to handle the probe.
Others demanded a formal summons directing the CBN Governor to appear before the PAC rather than the full House. A third group also suggested that the CBN Governor appear before the committee of the whole.
The amendment was strongly opposed by Rep. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno), who insisted that the matter should remain before the Public Accounts Committee, which he said was constitutionally empowered to handle such investigations.
“The sacrosanctity of this institution cannot, at whatever level of influence, be compromised because of the powerful nature of a head of an agency,” Rep. Jaha said.
“We are trying to strengthen the Public Accounts Committee, not to undermine it. This committee is chaired by a competent and committed member. This time around, it must be a resolution of the House compelling the CBN Governor to appear before the committee whether they like it or not.”
Also lending his voice, Rep. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) expressed deep concern over what he described as damning revelations uncovered by the Public Accounts Committee. Adding that the executive arm must treat the issue with utmost seriousness, especially as the findings emanated from a constitutional committee chaired by an opposition lawmaker.
“This is the only committee mentioned in the Constitution. The attitude of the CBN Governor towards this committee is unacceptable,” Rep.Soli said.
“Mr. Speaker, we should not invite him; we should summon him. This public officer has repeatedly disregarded invitations from a constitutionally recognised committee. That behaviour is unacceptable to this Parliament and unacceptable to Nigeria.”
Soli added that the findings should serve as a wake-up call to the managers of the Nigerian economy, warning that the House must not treat the matter lightly.
The situation was further compounded when Rep. Babajimi Benson proposed that any ad-hoc committee, if constituted, should draw membership from the Committees on Finance, Banking and Currency, and Public Accounts.
The proposal further heightened tension in the chamber as lawmakers shouted down opposing views, prompting Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the sitting, to repeatedly call members to order.
“We are honourable members; we do not have to be shouting as if we are in the market,” the speaker said. “If someone brings an unpopular amendment, allow him to land. At the end, it will be put to question. Shouting does not take away your right.
“If you continue this behaviour, believe me sincerely, we will take you to Ethics. I do not want to set an example in this House, but you are forcing me.” The speaker stressed that Nigerians were watching and that the House must conduct itself with dignity.
Normalcy was eventually restored after Rep. Tijjani withdrew his amendment. Subsequently, Rep. Jaha proposed a fresh amendment resolving that “the House do summon the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and relevant agencies to appear before the Public Accounts Committee unfailingly.”
The amendment was overwhelmingly adopted.
Earlier, Rep. Salam briefed the House on the findings of the Public Accounts Committee’s investigation into the Auditor-General’s Report for the 2022 financial year and the administration of the REMITA Revenue Collection System by the CBN between March 1, 2015 and April 30, 2016.
According to him, the committee uncovered an undisputed liability of ₦5.2 trillion in unpaid operating surpluses owed to the Federal Government for the period 2016 to 2022.
He further disclosed that the CBN collected ₦954.3 million in charges but refunded nothing, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦954.3 million, with accrued interest of ₦2.33 billion at the prevailing Monetary Policy Rate of 27.25 percent, bringing the total refundable amount to ₦3.28 billion.
Salam also revealed a remittance migration discrepancy of ₦2.69 trillion outstanding and payable into the Federal Government’s Assets Recovery Account.
He added that cumulatively, the committee had established that the Central Bank of Nigeria was indebted to the Federal Government to the tune of over ₦11 trillion arising from the identified infractions and discrepancies.
“Despite several formal communications and invitations extended to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, provide explanations, and remit the outstanding amounts, the CBN has failed, refused, or neglected to honour these invitations or comply with the committee’s directives,” Rep. Salam said.
