The Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered Seplat Energy and three other oil companies to appear before it within 48 hours to address concerns contained in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 audit reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

The affected companies are Network E&P Nigeria Limited, All Grace Energy Limited, Aradel Energy Limited and Seplat Energy.

The committee, led by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, issued the directive after the companies failed to appear at earlier hearings to respond to queries raised in the NEITI reports.

During the proceedings, Senator Abdul Ningi called for action against the companies, particularly criticising a letter from Network E&P in which the company reportedly stated that it was accountable to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Ningi maintained that the National Assembly has constitutional authority to summon individuals, companies and government agencies to provide information on matters under investigation. He cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution in support of the committee’s powers.

Senator Shehu Kaka Lawan also backed the move, urging the committee to use its constitutional powers against companies that continued to disregard its invitations.

The committee subsequently directed Network E&P’s managing director to appear before it on Thursday, warning that failure to comply would result in the use of its legislative powers.

Similar instructions were issued to the heads of All Grace Energy, Aradel Energy and Seplat Energy, whose representatives were absent from the proceedings.