The Senate committee investigating the N30 trillion Ways and Means loans acquired from the Godwin Emefiele-led Central Bank of Nigeria by the Federal Government announced it will request an extension for the investigation period.
At the start of the panel on March 11, 2024, Senate President GodsWill Akpabio gave the panel a six-week deadline to look into the loans.
The panel was also tasked with examining the over-N1 trillion Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the CBN under the previous administration, urging it to thoroughly investigate the matter.
The panel, under the leadership of Senator Isah Jibrin, ( APC, Kogi East), later stated it had discovered about 13 financial violations allegedly carried out during the loan acquisition process.
The Senate also revealed it would summon the Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, and some directors of the apex bank, particularly those who worked with Emefiele.
The committee also mentioned it had obtained some documents that would assist in the investigation, and added that certain government officials involved in the loan would be called to appear.
However, after two to three meetings, the Senate went on recess and adjourned plenary.
Investigations by our reporter showed that the six-week deadline expired on April 26, 2024.
In response to missing the deadline, the chairman of the panel, Jibrin, informed our reporter that the panel would request an extension once the Senate reconvenes.
He stated, “The Senate has been on recess for about a month now, we will request an extension when we resume. We will ensure that a thorough job is done.”
The PUNCH had reported that the National Assembly is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, April, 30 after rescheduling from April 23.
