SERAP Demands Akpabio, Abbas Account for ₦18.6B Missing National Assembly Funds
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to immediately account for ₦18.6 billion allegedly missing from funds allocated for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex.
The revelation comes from the 2022 annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare urged Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the identity of the purported fictitious construction company that received the funds.
The organisation also demanded the release of the company’s directors, shareholders, and registered address.
SERAP questioned the National Assembly’s compliance with the Public Procurement Act, highlighting the absence of a needs assessment, lack of bidding advertisement, failure to issue a contract agreement, and the payment of ₦18.6 billion without bidders’ quotations.
The organisation also demanded clarification on why the contract was reportedly inflated by ₦6.9 billion to convert a roof garden into office space.
“The grave allegations are documented in the latest 2022 annual report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation on 9 September 2025,” SERAP stated.
In a letter dated October 18, 2025, Oluwadare said these allegations suggest “grave violations of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, and national and international anti-corruption obligations.”
SERAP warned that the National Assembly can only perform its oversight and anti-corruption role if it demonstrates transparency and accountability, urging the presiding officers to act within seven days of the letter’s receipt.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you, the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Service Commission to comply with our request in the public interest,” the organisation said.
The 2022 audited report indicated that the National Assembly Service Commission paid over ₦11.6 billion to an “unknown construction company” for the Commission’s complex, with an additional ₦6.9 billion reportedly paid for the roof garden conversion.
Both contracts were allegedly awarded without a Bill of Quantity, needs assessment, bidding process, contract agreement, FEC approval, or Bureau of Public Procurement certificate.
SERAP expressed concern that the ₦18.6 billion may have been misappropriated, diverted, or stolen, echoing the Auditor-General’s call for the funds to be accounted for.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
