The House of Representatives has failed to secure the arrest of Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), despite repeated warnings over her refusal to appear before its committee investigating an alleged contract breach.

The House Committee on Public Petitions had summoned Coker-Odusote to address claims by Truid Limited that NIMC breached a software development license agreement.

In its petition before the committee, Truid alleged it funded and deployed a tokenization system for NIMC in 2021 under an agreement allowing it to recoup investments via revenue sharing over 10 years. However, the deal was terminated after Coker-Odusote took office in August 2023.

Despite multiple invitations, Coker-Odusote failed to appear before the committee.

In February 2025, Committee Chairman Mike Etaba warned that if she missed the next hearing on March 13, the Inspector-General of Police would be asked to arrest her.

However, more than two weeks after the deadline, no action has been taken, raising concerns over the committee?s resolve.

In a statement, Etaba criticised her absence, questioning how a government official could ignore constituted authority.

However, when asked about the status of the case, he revealed that the matter had been ?stepped down? for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

?The committee is silent on it until we receive the ADR report,? he said, without specifying a timeline for resolution.

Attempts to reach NIMC?s spokesperson, Kayode Adegoke, for comment were unsuccessful.

While the dispute with Truid remains unresolved, NIMC has made progress in identity management. It recently launched a multipurpose national ID card and partnered with banks to facilitate easier collection, enhancing financial inclusion and digital transactions in Nigeria. (Daily Trust)

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