The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has sought clarification from the Nigerian Navy regarding the acquisition of foreign war vessels without prior notification to the committee. Additionally, the committee expressed frustration over several unaddressed letters it sent to the Navy, requesting documents necessary for effective oversight of the agency. The committee’s chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, revealed these concerns after a closed-door meeting with Navy leadership at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

Gagdi explained that the committee’s oversight role is constitutionally mandated, emphasizing their responsibility to inquire about the spending of taxpayers’ money and how appropriated funds are being utilized by the Navy. He highlighted the need to understand how federal interventions by the President are managed within the Navy. The committee also raised concerns about the treatment of junior officers by their superiors, particularly referencing the controversial dismissal of Seaman Haruna Abbas, who had been abruptly removed from service.

The chairman indicated that the committee is uneasy with the Navy’s responses thus far and plans to conduct a thorough oversight visit to evaluate how resources are allocated and how disciplinary matters are addressed. Gagdi reiterated the importance of their role and indicated that the committee remains unsatisfied with the current situation.

He also criticized how the Navy handled the case of Seaman Abbas, who reportedly discharged about 15 rounds of ammunition while being apprehended for a military offense. Abbas’s prolonged detention without trial drew public attention, particularly after his wife appealed for help on a human rights radio program. Following this, the Defense Headquarters initiated an investigation, revealing that Abbas was tried by a court martial comprising officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, where he ultimately pleaded guilty in front of his wife, leading to his dismissal from the Navy.