Reps move to probe NECO for alleged financial malfeasance

The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the National Examination Council (NECO) for alleged extra-budgetary spending without proper approval.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) at plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, Ogah said that the investigation was pursuant to Section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution which gave the National Assembly, powers to summon or request for documents from any government ministry, agency or parastatal.

The lawmaker said that NECO as an agency of government, generates IGR for the federation and therefore must be accountable to Nigerians.

“NECO is allegedly implementing its virement without the required legislative approval. If this is so, it is a flagrant violation of our Constitution and inherent powers of this honourable house as enshrined in it,” he said.

He said that in view of this, NECO’s budget/IGR performance and implementation from 2023 to date should be probed.

The lawmaker said that there was need to peruse NECO’s bank statements of account from 2023 to date adding that that the organisation must also provide evidence of remittance to the federation account for the same period.

In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary, mandated the Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies to investigate the allegation and report back to the House within three weeks.