The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee on Monday summoned the management of Ibadan, Benin, and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Companies over their failure to remit over N100 billion owed to the Federal Government.

During a public hearing in Abuja, the committee gave the three firms a 72-hour ultimatum to appear before it, warning that failure to comply would attract sanctions for what it termed a persistent disregard for legislative summons.

Chaired by Bamidele Salam, the lawmaker representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore Federal Constituency in Osun State, the decision came after reviewing an interim report presented by Mr. Mark Obetta, chairman of the Committee’s sub-committee.

The summons is part of a wider investigation by the PAC, launched on August 20, 2025, when 11 electricity distribution companies were invited to explain a combined debt of N2.6 trillion owed to the Federation Account.

The liabilities, as highlighted in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s reports for 2021 and 2022, stem from unremitted revenues and statutory obligations owed to the Federal Government.

While several affected companies have appeared before the committee or cooperated with the process, the management of IBEDC, BEDC, and PHEDC has repeatedly ignored invitations, prompting the committee’s latest action.

Committee members described the three Discos’ conduct as “deliberate acts of legislative contempt” and warned that strict sanctions would be imposed if they fail to appear before the committee on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

Speaking at the hearing, Salam raised concerns over the enduring outstanding debts, highlighting that some have remained unsettled for more than ten years.

“There is a need for urgent and decisive action to recover the funds and ensure they are properly accounted for in the interest of the Nigerian government and the public,” he said.

The investigation is in line with the constitutional mandate of the Public Accounts Committee to examine the accounts of government ministries, departments, agencies, and private entities managing public funds.

In recent months, the committee has stepped up efforts to recover outstanding revenues highlighted in audit reports, leading to higher remittances to the Federation Account and reinforcing fiscal discipline among revenue-generating and revenue-collecting institutions.

The committee emphasized that ensuring compliance by electricity distribution companies is crucial due to the strategic significance of the power sector and the large public funds at stake.

The PAC reiterated that its actions are intended to enhance accountability, enforce financial regulations, and protect public resources, not to disrupt legitimate business operations.

It warned that failure to comply with legislative summons would incur penalties under the law, highlighting the House of Representatives’ commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in public fund management.