Public Outcry as SERAP Files Suit Over Missing ₦18.6 Billion from National Assembly Funds — Demands Full Disclosure from Akpabio & Abbas
In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s political landscape, the civil-society group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has brought a formal lawsuit against the presiding officers of the National Assembly — Godswill Akpabio (Senate President) and Tajudeen Abbas (Speaker of the House) — demanding a full account of the allegedly missing ₦18.6 billion earmarked for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex. The suit, which also names NASC as a respondent, seeks to compel the legislators to disclose the identity of the contractor awarded the contract, provide procurement documentation, and clarify the status of the project.
The Allegations: What Went Wrong
The allegations stem from the recently published 2022 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, released on 9 September 2025. The report revealed serious irregularities relating to payments made by NASC totaling ₦18.6 billion — including an initial ₦11.6 billion paid to a construction company of “unknown identity or traceable address,” and a further ₦6.9 billion disbursed purportedly for converting a roof garden into office space.
More disturbing is that these payments were reportedly executed without adherence to the mandatory procurement protocols: there was no needs-assessment, no public advertisement for bids, no competitive bidding process, no signed contract agreement, and crucially, no certificate of “No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
Further, the audit flagged that the Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for the initial ₦11.6 billion contract was never priced — a cardinal requirement for any public-sector construction project. The Auditor-General’s office concluded that the circumstances surrounding the disbursements were suspicious and raised a "grave risk" that the funds may have been misappropriated or diverted.
SERAP’s Demand for Accountability
In a letter dated 18 October 2025, SERAP gave the National Assembly leadership a seven-day ultimatum to publicly account for the missing funds — a demand that went unanswered, leading to the current lawsuit. The group is calling for:
Disclosure of the name, registration details, address, directors and shareholders of the unnamed construction company that allegedly received the funds.
Detailed documentation including needs assessments, bid advertisements, bidders’ quotations, signed contract agreements, minutes of tender board meetings, and — if applicable — approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and a BPP Certificate of “No Objection.”
Explanation for the additional ₦6.9 billion paid for the roof-garden conversion, including justification for the upward revision of the contract without approval, and the current implementation status of the NASC Office Complex project.
SERAP argues that such transparency is not only legally required — under procurement laws and constitutional provisions — but also essential for restoring public trust in Nigeria’s legislative institutions.
Why This Matters for Nigerians
The missing ₦18.6 billion is not just a figure; it represents public funds meant for infrastructure to serve the legislature. The unfortunate possibility that such funds were mismanaged or diverted undermines governance, erodes public trust, and fuels widespread cynicism about public-sector corruption. As SERAP aptly puts it, the National Assembly — the body tasked with oversight over public funds — must itself be transparent and accountable if it hopes to credibly lead anti-corruption efforts.
Moreover, at a time when many ordinary Nigerians struggle with economic hardship, infrastructure deficits, and declining public services, revelations like this risk deepening disillusionment with public institutions. The precedent this sets could embolden further impunity unless there is decisive action to investigate, prosecute where necessary, and recover misused funds.
What’s Next: Court, Transparency or Cover-up?
With the lawsuit now filed (Federal High Court, Abuja, suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025), the ball is in the court of the presiding officers and the National Assembly. The judiciary may force disclosure of critical documents that have so far been withheld. But beyond legal proceedings, the crisis offers a political and moral test for Nigeria’s legislature: will it rise to the occasion by embracing transparency — or cling to silence and secrecy?
For Nigerians watching closely, the way this unfolds may set a new benchmark for accountability in public finance.
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