The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to explain the disappearance of N18.6 billion allocated for the National Assembly Commission Office Complex construction, according to the Auditor-General’s 2022 annual report.
SERAP insists the officials disclose the identity of the company that received the payments, along with details about its directors, shareholders, and location.
The rights group also alleged multiple breaches of the Procurement Act, including the absence of a needs assessment, lack of public bidding, and missing approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement and Federal Executive Council.
Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s deputy director, stated that by addressing these allegations, the National Assembly will show it is acting in the best interest of the people, not personal interest.
The Auditor-General’s report notes that over N11.6 billion was paid to an “unknown construction company” in August 2020, with an inflated contract value and further payments of nearly N7 billion in November 2023.
SERAP warns that these violations may constitute misappropriation or theft and urges prompt investigation and prosecution.
The group has given the National Assembly seven days to respond and pledged legal action if accountability is not demonstrated. It also recommended referring the case to relevant anticorruption agencies for further scrutiny.
The National Assembly at the time this report was published, is yet to comment. SERAP’s call aims to restore public confidence by ensuring transparency and proper management of public funds.
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