SERAP Demands Explanation from Akpabio, Abbas Over Missing N18.6bn NASS Project Funds

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 urgently account for N18.6 billion allegedly missing from the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex. The claim is highlighted in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

In a letter dated October 18, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the rights group demanded that the National Assembly leaders disclose the name of the purported “fictitious construction company” that allegedly received the funds, as well as details of its directors, shareholders, and office location.

SERAP also asked Akpabio and Abbas to explain why the Procurement Act was allegedly flouted. The report alleges that there was no needs assessment, no advertisement of the bidding process, no contract agreement issued, and no bidders’ quotations obtained before the payment of N18.6 billion.

The organisation further questioned the rationale behind the alleged inflation of the contract by N6.9 billion for converting a roof garden into office space without obtaining proper approval. SERAP called for disclosure of the project’s current implementation status.

“These grave allegations suggest serious violations of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and national and international anti-corruption obligations,” SERAP said in the letter.

The group stressed that the National Assembly could only effectively perform its oversight and anti-corruption duties by demonstrating leadership in probing these allegations. “Addressing these issues would strengthen public confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” the letter added.

SERAP gave the lawmakers seven days from receipt or publication of the letter to respond, warning that failure to do so would compel the organisation to take legal action to ensure compliance in the public interest.