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By Tracy Moses
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to court over their alleged failure to account for N18.6 billion allocated for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.
The NASC is also joined as a defendant in the suit.
SERAP’s lawsuit was prompted by findings in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which raised serious questions about the disbursement and management of the funds.
Filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025, the suit seeks an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio, Abbas and the NASC to fully account for the N18.6bn allegedly released to an unidentified construction firm for the project. It also asks the court to order the disclosure of the company’s name and all procurement records, including bid notices, evaluation reports, contract agreements, tender board minutes and any Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals.
According to SERAP, the alleged mismanagement violates constitutional principles of public trust, transparency and accountability.
“Nigerians have a right to know what happened to the N18.6bn and who received it,” the group said, adding that granting its prayers would serve the public interest.
The Auditor-General’s report cited in the suit alleged that the NASC paid N11.6bn on August 11, 2020, to an “unknown construction company” for a project expected to be delivered within 24 months. The contract sum was later reviewed upward by N6.9bn, paid on November 29, 2023, purportedly for converting a roof garden into additional office space.
The report further stated that the award of the contracts did not comply with due process requirements, as there was no needs assessment, no advertisement for bids, no competitive bidding, no duly signed contract agreement, and no Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement. The alleged infractions were also said to lack FEC approval.
The Auditor-General warned that the funds may have been diverted or misappropriated.
SERAP’s legal team, comprised of Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, argued that compelling the National Assembly leadership to provide detailed explanations would reinforce public confidence and strengthen democratic accountability.
“The National Assembly must uphold constitutional values by promoting transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law,” the suit stated.
The organisation added that corruption in public institutions worsens poverty, undermines development and widens inequality, citing Sections 13, 15(5) and 16 of the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption.
The case is yet to be slated for hearing.