The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a restraining suit filed by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and 17 insurance companies challenging the House’s probe into alleged N98.4 billion liabilities by non-government-funded insurers.
The counter-affidavit, dated November 6, 2025, and filed by Mrs. Bukola O. Adeagbo, lead counsel for Tajudeen, alongside the House Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions and committee members Hon. Kwamoti B. Laori and Hon. Bob Solomon, argued that the insurers’ suit is “frivolous” and urged the court to reject it in the interest of justice.
The legal move comes after the court issued a temporary restraining order halting the House from summoning the NIA and the 17 insurers pending the hearing of the main case.
In the affidavit, lawmakers stressed that the insurers operate under laws enacted by the National Assembly and are registered with government agencies funded from the Federation Account.
It further highlighted that under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, the House has the authority to summon individuals and examine the implementation of laws.
“The Defendants have the power to investigate allegations, procure evidence, and summon any person, including the Plaintiffs, for matters under their legislative competence,” the affidavit stated, adding that the insurers’ refusal to comply suggests they may be concealing information.
Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier granted the restraining order in favour of the insurers, citing the risk of CEOs being arrested while the substantive case remains pending.
The insurers, represented by Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, argued that they are privately funded entities supervised by executive agencies — including the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) — not the House of Representatives.
The plaintiffs asked the court to prevent the lawmakers from enforcing any summons to the CEOs pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The NIA has previously criticized the House Committee for “legislative overreach” in investigating alleged multibillion-naira financial irregularities by member companies. Reports indicate that the probe covers 25 insurers accused of non-remittance of substantial revenues owed to the Federal Government.
The matter has been adjourned to December 9, 2025.
