Reps Summon REA, NEP Bosses For The Last Time Over Absence At Probe

The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has, for the last time, summoned the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), Olufemi Akinyelure, over their failure to appear before the panel.

The committee is currently investigating grants, loans and investments in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector between 2015 and 2024, with particular focus on the disbursement of funds, project implementation, and compliance with statutory and financial regulations.

LEADERSHIP reports that the committee last week summoned heads of concerned agencies two times to appear before it in person on Tuesday, following their absence.

Speaking at the resumed investigative hearing, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, expressed displeasure over what he described as repeated non-compliance by them despite the panel’s invitations.

He warned that if the two officials fail to appear before the committee on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 2 p.m., the lawmakers would be compelled to invoke their constitutional powers to enforce attendance.

“The MD of the Rural Electrification Agency, despite his subterfuge to avoid appearing before this committee, will not get away with it lightly

“The Constitution is quite clear that this committee of the House of Representatives has the power to compel appearance. However, in the spirit of magnanimity, we are issuing a last and final invitation for them to appear on Thursday, the 5th day of March 2026, at 2 p.m. failing which, this committee will have no other option but to issue a warrant of arrest,” he said.

Ogene stressed that the probe is part of the National Assembly’s constitutional mandate to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public and donor funds, especially in a critical sector such as renewable energy, which plays a central role in rural development and national economic growth.

Meanwhile, indications have emerged of a jurisdictional dispute within the House over which committee has primary oversight responsibility for the Rural Electrification Agency.

In a letter dated February 27, 2026, addressed to the REA Managing Director, the Chairman of the House Committee on National Rural Electrification Agency, Hon. Muhammad Ibrahim Bukar, asserted that his committee is “the duly constituted Standing Committee of the House of Representatives vested with primary oversight over the REA, including its financial operations, utilisation of grants and loans, project implementation activities, and institutional performance.”

According to the letter, the adoption of a Motion on the House floor or general references to agencies involved in renewable energy cannot override the express allocation of responsibilities.

The communication explained that while the Committee on Renewable Energy has a broad mandate over sector-wide policies, specific operational, financial, and administrative matters of the REA including project domiciliation, grant utilization, and deployment of renewable energy projects fall solely within the Rural Electrification Committee’s jurisdiction.

In the correspondence, Bukar directed the agency to, “Channel all matters relating to legislative oversight, inquiries, documentation requests and appearances concerning its operations strictly through the House Committee on Rural Electrification.

“Refrain from responding to or engaging in parallel correspondence with any other committee of the House on matters that fall squarely within his committee’s oversight jurisdiction, particularly where such matters are already under review.

“Formally refer any communications received from other committees touching on REA-specific issues to his committee for appropriate coordination and guidance.

The letter further warned that attempts to conduct parallel inquiries into the REA without formal coordination could undermine institutional order and create unnecessary friction.

It also highlighted that the current structure of House Committees, now expanded to over 120 specialised panels, was deliberately designed to avoid overlapping responsibilities.