SERAP Sues Akpabio, Abbas Over Failure to Account for Alleged Missing ₦18.6bn NASC Complex Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their alleged failure to account for ₦18.6 billion allocated for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) office complex.

Akpabio and Abbas were sued in their personal capacities and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. The National Assembly Service Commission was also listed as a respondent.

The lawsuit follows serious allegations detailed in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 annual report, published on 9 September 2025.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio, Abbas and the NASC to account for the whereabouts of the ₦18.6 billion earmarked for the construction of the NASC office complex.

SERAP is also asking the court to compel the respondents to disclose the identity of the alleged “fictitious construction company” that purportedly received the funds, as well as provide assessment reports, bid advertisements and quotations, construction contracts, minutes of Tender Board meetings and Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the project.

The organisation argues that the alleged diversion or misappropriation of the funds constitutes a grave breach of public trust, the 1999 Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.

“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the ₦18.6 billion and the details of the contractors who collected the money. Granting the reliefs sought would serve legitimate public interests,” SERAP stated.

According to SERAP, compelling the National Assembly leadership to explain how the funds were managed would help strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions.

The suit, filed by SERAP’s lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo argues that the National Assembly must uphold constitutional principles of transparency, accountability and rule of law.

The Auditor-General’s report indicates that the NASC paid over ₦11.6 billion (₦11,647,302,594.00) to “an unknown construction company” on 11 August 2020 for the construction of the commission’s complex within 24 months. The report also alleges an inflation of the contract by over ₦6.9 billion (₦6,930,000,000.00), which was reportedly paid to the same company on 29 November 2023 for the conversion of a roof garden to office space.

The Auditor-General further noted that both contracts were awarded without a Bill of Quantity, needs assessment, bid advertisements, contract agreements, quotations from bidders, BPP “No Objection” certificate or FEC approval.

He warned that the ₦18.6 billion allocated for the projects may have been diverted, misappropriated or stolen, and demanded accountability.

SERAP maintained that granting the court orders sought would help identify and prosecute those responsible and facilitate recovery of any diverted public funds.

The organisation added that corruption continues to impose heavy economic and social burdens on poor and vulnerable Nigerians, worsening access to essential services and undermining development.

Citing Sections 13, 15(5), and 16 of the Constitution, as well as Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption, SERAP stressed that the National Assembly has a constitutional duty to curb corruption and ensure proper management of public resources.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.