₦100BN AUDIT QUERIES: FCT COUNCIL CHAIRMEN SHUN REPS AGAIN

The six Federal Capital Territory Area Council chairmen have again failed to appear before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee over audit queries involving about ₦100 billion.

The committee has consequently issued a fresh seven-day final summons to officials of the councils. The lawmakers are seeking explanations and supporting documents relating to financial issues raised in audit reports.

FINAL SUMMONS

The committee has directed Directors of Personnel Management and Finance as well as Heads of Audit of the six councils to appear on October 14.

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The committee said failure to comply could attract sanctions under the relevant service rules. The councils had previously requested September 22 as the date for their appearance but failed to attend or send representatives.

₦24.87BN SPENDING QUESTIONED

The committee is also seeking explanations concerning ₦24.87 billion reportedly spent by the six councils on personnel, overheads and capital expenditure in 2021.

The audit queries are questions requiring answers and are not, by themselves, proof that officials committed financial crimes. The officials will have the opportunity to provide documents and explanations to the committee.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the repeated failure to appear has transformed what began as an audit examination into a broader accountability dispute between the councils and the National Assembly.