House Panel Summons Navy, Police, Customs, Immigration and NMDPRA Over Recovered Assets

The House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Public Assets has summoned five government agencies to appear before it on November 2, 2026, over the management of seized, forfeited and recovered assets across the country.

The agencies are the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Chairman of the sub-committee, Ibe Okwara Osonwa, announced the date during the panel’s inaugural meeting in Abuja, following a motion moved by Omosede Igbinedion and supported by other members.

Osonwa said the investigation was necessary amid persistent concerns about transparency, coordination among agencies and the integrity of processes governing recovered assets.

“Across various administrations, questions have persisted regarding transparency, coordination, and the integrity of processes governing assets seized or forfeited through anti-corruption efforts, criminal justice actions, and administrative enforcement,” he said.

He stressed that the concerns were not merely technical, warning that they strike at the heart of public trust and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture.

The sub-committee has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive audit to establish a clear and verifiable record of all recovered assets held or managed by relevant government institutions.

A key objective is the creation of a unified digital registry that would provide real-time visibility into recovered assets, eliminate duplication of records and improve coordination among the agencies involved.

Osonwa said the committee would also examine existing accountability mechanisms and recommend reforms aligned with relevant laws and international best practices.

“The sub-committee has the opportunity to recommend reforms that will close long-standing loopholes, modernise asset management systems, and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship,” he said.

He added that the ultimate goal was to ensure recovered assets serve the public interest through restitution, reinvestment or national development priorities.

The five agencies are expected to provide information on their respective roles in the seizure, recovery, custody and management of assets, as well as the procedures they use to document and account for such properties.