The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas account for ₦18.6 billion allegedly missing from a National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) office complex project.
SERAP, in a letter dated October 18, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, called on both presiding officers to publicly disclose the company that received the controversial payment, including its directors, shareholders, and official address.
The rights group said its demand followed revelations from the 2022 Auditor-General’s report, which exposed “glaring financial irregularities” and a breach of public procurement laws in the award and execution of the contract.
According to the report, ₦11.6 billion was allegedly paid to an unknown construction company for the project, while another ₦6.9 billion was linked to an inflated contract for the conversion of the National Assembly’s roof garden to office spaces.
“The contract was awarded without any advertisement, needs assessment, or competitive bidding, and without a Bureau of Public Procurement Certificate of No Objection,” the report stated.
The audit further noted that the Bill of Quantity for the ₦11.6 billion project “was not priced,” and that no valid contract agreement existed before payment was made in November 2023. It added that the entire ₦18.6 billion allocation for the project “may have been misappropriated.”
SERAP described the findings as “grim allegations of corruption” that constitute “a flagrant violation of the Nigerian Constitution and breach of public trust.”
“The National Assembly can only claim moral authority to fight corruption if it leads by example,” the organisation said. “Akpabio and Abbas must demonstrate transparency and accountability by explaining the whereabouts of the missing funds.”
The group gave the two leaders a seven-day ultimatum to take “corrective measures,” including referring the matter to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and recovery of any diverted funds.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days,” the statement warned. “If we do not hear from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel compliance.”
SERAP argued that corruption within the legislature undermines Nigeria’s anti-graft war, deprives citizens of essential services, and erodes confidence in democratic institutions.
Citing Sections 13, 15(5), and 16 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the group reminded the National Assembly of its constitutional obligation to “abolish corrupt practices” and “secure the welfare of the people.”
The organisation also referenced Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which mandates proper management of public funds and transparent procurement processes.
“Upholding these principles is not optional,” SERAP stated. “The National Assembly must ensure that every naira of public money is properly accounted for.”
Neither Akpabio nor Abbas had responded to SERAP’s letter as of the time of filing this report.
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