19.10.2025
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Assembly Speaker Tajudeen Abbas have been asked to account for ₦18.6 billion allegedly used for a questionable project at National Assembly Commission Office Complex.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) made the call in a statement Sunday pointing to the 2022 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which found that ₦18.6 billion, meant for the project was unaccounted for.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report revealed that the contract was awarded without following due process.
“Both contracts were reportedly awarded without any approval by the Federal Executive Council and without a Bureau of Public Procurement’s Certificate of No Objection,” the petition signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare.
The organisation further demanded explanations for “the inflation of the contract by ₦6.9 billion for the conversion of the roof garden to office space” and for failing to secure approval for the upward review.
It said the Auditor-General’s 2022 report, published on 9 September 2025, revealed that the National Assembly Service Commission paid ₦11.6 billion to an “unknown construction company” for the project within 24 months.
The report noted that the contract was inflated by ₦6.9 billion and that the payment was made on 29 November 2023 for the roof garden conversion.
It added that the Bill of Quantity for the ₦11.6 billion contract “was not priced”, and no valid agreement was issued before payment.
The Auditor-General expressed fears that the ₦18.6 billion allocated for the project “may be missing” and requested full accountability for the funds.
In the letter dated October 18, 2025, SERAP described the findings as “grim allegations” that indicate “grave violations of public trust and the Nigerian Constitution”.
“The National Assembly can only perform its oversight and anti-corruption roles effectively if it demonstrates exemplary leadership,” SERAP said.
Akpabio and Abass...questionable contract.