Chukwu Obinna 
Nigeria House of Representatives
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s House of Representatives descends into disorder over allegations that the Central Bank of Nigeria fails to remit about ₦16 trillion to the Federal Government.
Lawmakers clash in a heated plenary debate on Wednesday as conflicting emotions emerge on how to summon the CBN Governor over the damning Public Accounts Committee report.
Committee chairman, Bamidele Salam, urges the House to compel the governor to appear before the committee, but opposition lawmakers argue for either an ad hoc committee or the Committee of the Whole, citing the gravity of the alleged sum.
Shouting erupts as factions trade accusations, prompting repeated interventions from the Speaker, who labels the conduct “unparliamentary” and warns of possible referral to the Ethics Committee.
Chief Whip Usman Kumo and the Minority Whip move across the floor in failed attempts to restore order.
Eventually, Ahmed Jaha moves a motion directing the governor and relevant stakeholders to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, with sanctions for non-compliance. The House adopts the motion by voice vote.
Jaha insists that bypassing the committee would undermine legislative oversight powers. “We must not create a precedent that allows officials to ignore constitutional invitations,” he says.
Katsina lawmaker, Sada Soli, adds that the Presidency should closely review the report, noting its origin from an opposition-led constitutional committee.
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Korede Abdullah 
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