The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the National Examination Council (NECO) over claims of unauthorised extra-budgetary spending.
This decision followed the adoption of a motion by Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) during a plenary session on Thursday.
In presenting the motion, Mr Ogah stated that the investigation would be conducted in accordance with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the authority to summon or request documents from any government ministry, agency, or parastatal.
The lawmaker emphasised that NECO, as a government agency generating Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the federation, must be accountable to the Nigerian populace.
“NECO is reportedly carrying out its virement without the necessary legislative approval. If this is the case, it represents a blatant violation of our Constitution and the inherent powers of this esteemed House as enshrined within it,” he remarked.
He called for an investigation into NECO’s budget and IGR performance and implementation from 2023 to the present.
The lawmaker also stressed the need to examine NECO’s bank statements from 2023 onwards, insisting that the organisation must provide evidence of remittances to the federation account for the same period.
In his ruling, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, instructed the Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies to investigate the allegations and report back to the House within three weeks.
(NAN)
