Abuja, Nigeria — October 20, 2025
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 explain the whereabouts of ₦18.6 billion allegedly misappropriated from the National Assembly Commission Office Complex project.
The demand was issued in a public letter signed on Sunday by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, referencing findings from the 2022 annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was officially published on September 9, 2025.
According to the report, the funds were disbursed without adherence to legally required procurement processes. SERAP alleges that the contract for the office complex was awarded without:
- A needs assessment,
- Public advertisement,
- Competitive bidding,
- Approval from the Federal Executive Council, and
- A Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
The organisation described the situation as a blatant violation of the Public Procurement Act, warning that the irregularities could amount to fraud and abuse of public office.
Fictitious Company Allegedly Paid Billions
The Auditor-General’s findings revealed that ₦11.6 billion was paid within a span of 24 months to an unnamed or fictitious construction company, with no valid contractual agreement issued prior to payment. The Bill of Quantity for the project was reportedly not priced, raising further concerns about transparency and financial accountability.
In addition to the initial payment, the contract was allegedly inflated by ₦6.9 billion for the conversion of a roof garden into office space, a variation not approved by any oversight authority. The inflated payment was made on November 29, 2023, without required documentation or legal compliance.
SERAP’s Demands
SERAP is demanding that:
- The names of the beneficiary company, its directors, shareholders, and registered address be made public;
- Full details of the contract, including payment schedules and supporting documents, be released;
- Immediate steps be taken to recover any missing funds and prosecute those responsible.
The group warned that failure to act swiftly would further undermine public trust in the National Assembly and the broader governance structure.
Auditor-General Raises Red Flag
The Auditor-General of the Federation, in the 2022 report, expressed serious concerns that the ₦18.6 billion allocated for the project may be missing, urging a full investigation and accountability from all parties involved.
Background
The National Assembly Commission Office Complex project was intended to improve administrative operations within Nigeria’s legislative arm. However, the emerging revelations have sparked widespread public outcry and renewed calls for reforms in public sector procurement and oversight.
What’s Next?
The response—or lack thereof—from Akpabio and Abbas will likely set the tone for the level of transparency the 10th National Assembly is willing to uphold. Meanwhile, SERAP has hinted at potential legal action should their demands not be met within a reasonable timeframe.
