According to a report from DailyTrust, Tragedy struck at the National Assembly on Monday when Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Essien Etop Andrew, collapsed and died while making a presentation before the House Committee on Public Accounts.
A video of the incident has emerged, showing Andrew's final moments as he requested water before slumping.
Essien Etop Andrew, who was in charge of Finance, Administration, and Technical Services at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), had led a team of senior customs officers to the House of Representatives for an investigative hearing conducted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The hearing focused on revenue remittances by the Customs Service.
During the session, Andrew, while detailing the NCS's financial transactions, asked for water. Shortly after making the request, he collapsed.
The committee's chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam, had asked Andrew to clarify the NCS's position regarding funds sent to the account provided by the Accountant-General.
"So your position is that this money was actually sent to the account provided by the Accountant-General and that the obligation of now taking it to the federation account is out of your own purview?" Salam inquired.
Andrew responded affirmatively, "Yes. The same thing applies for 2017, and 2017 can be seen on the next page.
If you look at 2016, it encompasses other levies. Sir, I may need to take water."
Salam then said, "Go ahead. Do you need tea? Can somebody please attend to him?"
Despite immediate efforts to assist him, Andrew was rushed to the House of Representatives Clinic, where he was pronounced dead.
The sudden demise of the top-ranked customs officer has sent shockwaves through the NCS and the National Assembly.
Daily Trust reported that Andrew's collapse and subsequent death occurred while discussing critical issues related to revenue remittances, underscoring the high-pressure environment faced by public officials during such hearings.
The investigative hearing continued, but the mood was somber as lawmakers and officials grappled with the sudden loss.
The Public Accounts Committee is expected to release a statement regarding the incident and any potential implications for the ongoing investigations into the NCS's financial practices.