Reps Threaten to Arrest Agric Agency Bosses Over N1.2tn Intervention Funds

The House of Representatives has threatened to issue bench warrants against the heads of key agricultural agencies over the alleged mismanagement of ₦1.2 trillion in intervention funds meant for the country’s agriculture sector

The intervention funds, released to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity through various programmes, are reportedly unaccounted for, prompting the legislature to demand immediate explanations from the agencies involved. Lawmakers expressed concern that the lack of transparency and accountability in handling such a massive sum could undermine the objectives of government intervention in agriculture Among the agencies under scrutiny are the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN). The House has indicated that officials from these and other related bodies must appear before the committee to provide a detailed account of how the funds were utilized. Failure to comply, the lawmakers warned, would lead to enforcement actions, including possible arrest of agency heads Speaking on the matter, the House noted that the funds in question are critical to ensuring food security, supporting farmers, and enhancing agricultural production across Nigeria. The legislators stressed that any misappropriation or diversion of these resources would be a serious breach of public trust and could have far-reaching consequences for the sector. At the moment, the agencies under investigation have not issued any official response to the allegations. However, the House reiterated that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable, and that all responsible officials are expected to cooperate fully with the ongoing probe Observers note that the development underscores the legislature’s determination to hold public officers accountable for the management of government funds. It also sends a strong signal that mismanagement of public resources, particularly funds allocated to strategic sectors like agriculture, will not be tolerated. The House has called on all concerned agencies to provide comprehensive documentation detailing the disbursement and utilization of the ₦1.2 trillion, emphasizing that compliance is essential to restoring public confidence in government intervention programmes. Lawmakers also indicated that failure to provide satisfactory explanations could lead to legal and administrative sanctions, including the recovery of misappropriated funds.