Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has publicly challenged the leadership of the National Assembly, calling on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to promptly account for a staggering ₦18.6 billion.
This substantial sum was reportedly earmarked for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex and is now feared missing, an alarm first raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the latest annual report.
In a strongly worded statement, SERAP urged the presiding officers to disclose critical details surrounding the alleged financial malfeasance.
Key among these demands is the disclosure of the name of the “fictitious construction company” believed to have collected the ₦18.6 billion.
The civil society group is also pushing for the publication of the names, details, and addresses of the company’s directors and shareholders, arguing that transparency is paramount to restoring public confidence.
The petition highlights grave concerns over alleged multiple breaches of Nigeria’s Procurement Act.
According to SERAP, the initial contracts, which include a payment of over ₦11.6 billion and a subsequent inflation of the contract by ₦6.9 billion for the conversion of a roof garden, were reportedly awarded without following due process.
Specifically, the Auditor-General’s report suggested a lack of needs assessment, absence of public advertisement and bidding, no valid contract agreement, and a failure to secure the necessary ‘Certificate of No Objection’ from the Bureau of Public Procurement or approval from the Federal Executive Council.
SERAP stressed that the entire sum—the initial contract and the inflated amount—now totaling ₦18.6 billion for the National Assembly Commission’s Office Complex, is feared to have been misappropriated, diverted, or stolen.
The organisation maintained that explaining the whereabouts of these public funds, publishing the contractor’s details, and ensuring the prosecution of any perpetrators would be a necessary step in serving the public interest and upholding the constitutional oath of office.
The rights group urged Akpabio and Abbas to refer the alleged violations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for immediate investigation and the recovery and remittance of the missing public funds into the treasury.
