Senate Summons Ministers, Emefiele Over Unauthorised Withdrawal Of $462 Million

 Senate President, Saraki

The Senate has summoned two Ministers of Finance and defence, Kemi Adeosun and Mansur Dan-Ali, respectively as well as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, for alleged unauthorised withdrawal of $462 million from the Consolidated Revenue Account.

The money was said to have been withdrawn and paid to an American firm for the purchase of helicopters without the approval of the National Assembly.

At the plenary on Tuesday, Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo-East) raised a point of order, alleging that Section 80(2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution had been breached.

Mr Anyanwu said, “I have it on good authority that in March 2018, from the Federation Account, a whopping sum of $462 million was withdrawn and paid for (the purchase of) helicopters to an American firm. And this is without the approval of the National Assembly or the Senate.

“I know that there was no time when there was any request (for approval) from this Senate before any withdrawal from the Consolidated Federation Account.

“I, therefore, as a senator, want us to find out if that thing (withdrawal) was done.

“I will request and suggest we invite the CBN governor, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defence to tell us how this money was withdrawn and paid to an American company — a whopping $462 million — without the approval of this Senate.”

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, put the request to voice vote and it was unanimously granted.

Mr Ekweremadu referred the matter to the Committee on Appropriations, asking it to invite the ministers and the CBN governor.

“The Appropriations Committee should invite the three: the Minister of Finance, the CBN governor and the Minister of Defence to shed light on the release,” he said