Investigation: Lawmakers warn MDA leaders of potential detention

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with investigating concession agreements for Nigeria's seaports and airport terminals, has issued a stern warning to federal agencies and companies to comply with its invitations or face arrest, as stated by Chairman Rep. Kolawole Akinlayo during a briefing in Abuja on Friday.

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The committee, which was established on February 3, 2026, by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, aims to examine concession agreements between the Federal Government and private operators from 2006 to 2025, with a focus on reviewing terms, assessing revenue remittances, and evaluating compliance with regulatory obligations.

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Akinlayo emphasized that the assets under review, including seaports, airports, terminals, and jetties, are of strategic national importance, serving as critical national assets and economic gateways that support trade, mobility, and development.

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Despite the committee's efforts, Akinlayo lamented the lack of cooperation from some agencies, noting that their failure to submit relevant records has hindered the committee's progress, with many agencies either ignoring invitations or failing to provide complete documentation.

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The Nigerian Customs Service is one such agency that appeared before the committee but did not fully comply with its requests, while other organisations, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, are also expected to cooperate with the investigation.

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Akinlayo warned that the committee will invoke its constitutional powers against any agency that continues to disregard parliamentary summons, stating that this is the last warning to chief executive officers and heads of these agencies to change their attitude toward the committee.

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The committee is empowered under Sections 89 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution to summon individuals, request documents, and enforce compliance, and Akinlayo emphasized that the probe is not aimed at targeting any organisation but rather at ensuring accountability in the management of critical national assets.

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The investigation seeks to determine whether the concession arrangements have delivered value for the country, with Akinlayo stating that the committee is not witch-hunting anyone, but rather seeking to determine whether these concessions have complied with contractual obligations and contributed meaningfully to economic growth and revenue generation.

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So far, the committee has held preliminary engagements with agencies and stakeholders within the port concession ecosystem, with many concessionaires submitting some documents, although most submissions are incomplete, covering only the period between 2020 and 2025 instead of the full range of documents requested from 2006.

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The absence of comprehensive documentation has prevented the committee from commencing its full investigation, with Akinlayo stressing that the Nigerian Ports Authority, as the custodian of the country's port infrastructure, is expected to provide detailed records covering the entire concession period.

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The committee plans to extend its investigation to airport terminal concessions, with Akinlayo dismissing claims that current agency heads may not have access to documents relating to agreements signed before they assumed office, stating that government institutions operate continuity systems and should be able to retrieve records through their archives.

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Akinlayo insisted that the committee expects full cooperation from all agencies and organisations involved, so the investigation can be concluded within the timeframe set by the House, emphasizing that government is not built around individuals and that the actions taken while in public office can be examined at any time.