SERAP asks Akpabio, Abbas to account for N18.6bn meant for NASS commission office complex

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to promptly account for the missing N18.6bn meant for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex, as documented in the latest 2022 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

SERAP wants Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to name the company that received the payments and to disclose the names and details of its directors, shareholders, and address.

The group is also demanding explanations for alleged multiple breaches of the Procurement Act, including the absence of a needs assessment, lack of public advertisement and bidding, and the absence of a Bureau of Public Procurement certificate of “no objection” or Federal Executive Council approval.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the rights group argued that addressing the allegations would show that the National Assembly is acting in the best interest of the people, and not for personal interest.

It explained that the allegations are documented in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 annual report, published on September 9, 2025.

According to the recently published 2022 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation, the National Assembly Service Commission paid over N11.6 billion [N11,647,302,594,00] to ‘an unknown construction company’ for ‘the construction of the Commission’s Complex within 24 months,’” the statement read.

“The payment was reportedly made on 11 August 2020. But ‘the contract was inflated by over N6.9 billion [N6,930,000.000.00]’ and the money was reportedly paid to the construction company on 29 November 2023’ ‘for the conversion of the roof garden to office space.’

“The contract was reportedly awarded without a Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for the upward of the contract, and the ‘BOQ for the contract of N11.6 billion was not priced.’”

According to SERAP, “Both contracts were reportedly awarded without any needs assessment, newspaper advertisements, bidding process, contract agreement, bidders’ quotations, and without any approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). There was also no ‘Bureau of Public Procurement’ Certificate of ‘No Objection’.

“The Auditor-General fears the N18.6 billion of public funds budgeted for ‘the construction of the Commission’s Office Complex and the conversion of the roof garden to office space’ may be missing. He wants the money accounted for.”

The group said the allegations suggest grave violations of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution and national and international anticorruption obligations.

“SERAP is concerned that the money may have been misappropriated, diverted, or stolen. These grave violations reflect the continuing failure of the National Assembly and its commission to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.

Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, publishing the details of the construction company which collected the money, and ensuring the prosecution of the perpetrators and the recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest,” it said.

The organisation added that the National Assembly can only credibly exercise oversight and anti-corruption duties if it demonstrates “exemplary leadership” by probing the allegations.

SERAP gave the National Assembly seven days from receipt or publication of the letter to act, warning that it would take “all appropriate legal actions” to compel the legislature and the Commission to comply if there is no satisfactory response.

It urged that the matter be referred to relevant anticorruption agencies for investigation, prosecution where warranted, and recovery and remittance of any missing public funds.

The group added that accounting for the allegedly missing funds and publishing the details of the contractor would restore public confidence and demonstrate the Assembly’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.