The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the National Examination Council (NECO) over allegations of extra-budgetary spending and financial irregularities.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP–Abia) during Thursday’s plenary session.
Presenting the motion, Ogah cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to summon individuals or demand documents from any government ministry, agency, or parastatal.
He noted that as a revenue-generating agency, NECO is obligated to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of its internally generated revenue (IGR).
“NECO is allegedly implementing virements without the necessary legislative approval. If this is true, it amounts to a clear violation of the Constitution and undermines the oversight authority of this House,” Ogah stated.
He called for a thorough review of NECO’s budget and IGR performance from 2023 to date, including a scrutiny of its bank statements and evidence of remittances to the Federation Account within the same period.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, directed the Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and present its findings to the House within three weeks.
