SERAP urges Akpabio, Abbas to probe alleged ₦6.3bn constituency funds diversion

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 refer allegations of the diversion, misapplication or non-accounting of over ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

 

In a letter dated June 27, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists and that any misappropriated funds are recovered and returned to the public treasury.

 

The organisation also demanded the publication of the names of contractors and companies, including their shareholders and beneficial owners, that allegedly received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects.

 

SERAP said the allegations, contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report published on September 9, 2025, suggest a serious breach of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.

 

According to the group, corruption in constituency projects undermines economic development, weakens public services and erodes confidence in democratic institutions.

 

It argued that the National Assembly must demonstrate leadership by addressing allegations involving constituency projects approved by lawmakers as part of its oversight responsibilities.

 

SERAP gave the Senate President and the Speaker seven days to act, warning that it would initiate legal proceedings in the public interest if no action is taken.

 

The organisation said the allegations involve several federal ministries, departments and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

 

According to the Auditor-General’s report, the alleged infractions include payments into private bank accounts, procurement irregularities, inflated contracts, payments for projects not executed, undocumented expenditures and failures to account for public funds.

 

SERAP maintained that the alleged actions violate provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007, which require transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public resources.