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 account for ₦18.6 billion allegedly missing from the National Assembly Commission Office Complex project.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation cited findings from the 2022 report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which revealed that the contract for the project was awarded without due process.
According to the report, the National Assembly Service Commission paid ₦11.6 billion to an “unknown construction company” within 24 months and inflated the contract by ₦6.9 billion for the conversion of the roof garden to office space without proper approval or documentation.
SERAP urged the presiding officers to disclose the identity of the company that received the funds, including its directors, shareholders, and registered address. The group further noted that the contracts were awarded without approval from the Federal Executive Council or a “Certificate of No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Describing the allegations as a “grave violation of public trust and the Nigerian Constitution,” SERAP demanded that Akpabio and Abbas take corrective measures within seven days, warning that failure to do so would prompt legal action to compel compliance.
The organisation also called for the matter to be referred to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and recovery of any missing public funds. It stressed that corruption and financial mismanagement continue to undermine national development and deny citizens access to essential services.
SERAP reminded the National Assembly of its constitutional obligation under Section 15(5) to eradicate corruption and uphold accountability, as well as Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which mandate transparency in the management of public resources.
