Akpabio, Abbas under fire over ‘missing ₦18.6bn NASC project funds’
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen to explain the alleged mismanagement of ₦18.6 billion allocated for the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.
The warning follows findings in the 2022 Auditor-General’s report, which questioned the disbursement of funds amid allegations of inflated contracts, missing procurement documentation, and non-compliance with financial regulations.
The report noted that ₦11.6 billion was paid in 2020 to an unnamed construction company without a bidding process or contract agreements, and a further ₦6.9 billion was disbursed in 2023 for converting a roof garden to office space.
In a letter dated 18 October, SERAP demanded that the presiding officers publish the name, address, and corporate details of the contractor, and explain why due process was ignored.
“The National Assembly can only perform its oversight and anti-corruption roles if it demonstrates exemplary leadership by probing allegations of corruption within its own commission,” SERAP stated.
The NGO warned that failure to comply within seven days would compel it to seek legal redress. SERAP also emphasized that continued opacity in public fund management undermines governance, erodes public trust, and imposes economic costs on ordinary Nigerians.
The NASC Office Complex, intended as a permanent administrative building for Assembly staff, has been repeatedly budgeted since 2018 but remains unbuilt, with no publicly verifiable progress.
SERAP called on the National Assembly to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law and to refer the matter to relevant anti-corruption agencies for full investigation and prosecution if necessary.
