The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is demanding that the leadership of the National Assembly account for a missing N18.6 billion.
This money was budgeted for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex, as flagged in the 2022 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Specifically SERAP called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to take several steps.
They must name the ‘fictitious construction company’ that allegedly received the N18.6 billion, providing details like the names, addresses, shareholders, and directors of the firm.
Additionally, SERAP is pressing Akpabio and Abbas to explain the blatant failure to follow the Procurement Act.
This includes why no needs assessment was conducted, why the bidding process was not advertised, and why a contract agreement and bidders’ quotations were never issued before the company was paid the huge sum.
The group wants an explanation for the N6.9 billion “contract inflation” to convert the roof garden to office space. They are asking why this upward review lacked proper approval and are demanding to know the current implementation status of the entire project.
It said if the recommended measures are not taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, SERAP would take all appropriate legal actions against the leadership of NASS.
The grave allegations are documented in the latest 2022 annual report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation on 9 September 2025.
In the letter dated October 18, 2025 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, a lawyer, the organisation said: “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and national and international anti-corruption obligations.
“The National Assembly can only effectively perform its oversight and anti-corruption roles if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the NASS commission.
The National Assembly ought to live up to its constitutional responsibilities by upholding and defending the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
“Addressing the allegations would improve public confidence and trust in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise their constitutional and oversight responsibilities, and to adhere to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
“It would also show that the National Assembly is acting in the best interest of the people, and not for personal interest.”
SERAP also stated:“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. 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.
“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 the Commission’s Complex within 24 months.
“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.’
“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’s 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.
“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.
“Poor and vulnerable Nigerians continue to bear the heavy economic and social costs of corruption. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”
According to the organization, corruption traps the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprives them of opportunities and the National Assembly therefore has a responsibility to curb it.
“Allegations of corruption continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in economic, social, and political institutions, as well as lead to deficient public services.
“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the public funds and details of the construction company. Taking the recommended measures would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions including the National Assembly and its commission to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the National Assembly and its commission to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly and its commission have the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.’
“Section 16(2) further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the National Assembly to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected.
“SERAP urges to refer these grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s national and international anti-corruption obligations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, as appropriate, and the recovery and remittance of the public funds into the treasury,” it added.
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