The House of Representatives Committee on Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis has summoned the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, over the alleged misappropriation of $300 million antimalarial funds.

Rep. Amobi Ogah, the committee chairman, read the resolutions in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Ogah expressed the displeasure over the absence of the permanent secretary of the ministry at the resumed sitting of the committee on Tuesday.

“The committee has resolved that the permanent secretary be arrested if she failed to honour the summons, having failed to appear for three times,” said Mr Ogah.

The lawmaker who decried that malaria was now endemic in Nigeria said the government had provided the funds since 2021, “but most times, the civil servants are our problem.”

“We have been inviting the permanent secretary. This is the third time we are inviting her to come and explain to us what has happened.

“Have they used the money? If they have not used the money, where is the money? It is a matter of simple explanation. But they have been running away, calling all manner of people to talk to us,” he said.

(NAN)