SERAP sues Akpabio, Abbas over N’Assembly complex funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their alleged failure to account for N18.6bn earmarked for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission Office Complex.

Also joined in the suit is the National Assembly Service Commission.

SERAP’s legal action follows damning allegations contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 annual report, released on September 9, 2025.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025, filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio, Abbas and the NASC to account for the whereabouts of the N18.6bn reportedly paid to an unknown construction company.

The group is also asking the court to mandate the respondents to disclose the identity of the alleged “fictitious construction company” that allegedly collected the funds, as well as provide all procurement records, including assessment reports, bid advertisements, contract documents, minutes of tender board meetings, and the Federal Executive Council approval for the project.

SERAP argues that the alleged misappropriation of the N18.6bn breaches public trust, the 1999 Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.

“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the N18.6bn and details of the contractor that collected the money,” the organisation stated. “Granting the reliefs sought would serve legitimate public interests.”

According to details from the Auditor-General’s report cited in the suit, the NASC allegedly paid N11.6bn on August 11, 2020, to an “unknown construction company” for the construction of its office complex within 24 months.

The report further claimed that the contract was later inflated by N6.9bn, which was paid on November 29, 2023, for the “conversion of the roof garden to office space.”

The contracts were reportedly awarded without any needs assessment, newspaper advertisement, bidding process, contract agreement, bidders’ quotations, or approval from the Federal Executive Council. The report added that no Bureau of Public Procurement Certificate of No Objection was issued.

The Auditor-General expressed fears that the N18.6bn may have been diverted, misappropriated or stolen.

SERAP’s legal team, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, argued that compelling the National Assembly leadership to account for the funds would strengthen transparency and improve public trust in democratic institutions.

“The National Assembly ought to live up to its constitutional responsibilities by upholding and defending the principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law,” the suit read.

SERAP further stressed that corruption in public institutions worsens poverty, erodes economic development and deepens inequality.

Quoting relevant constitutional provisions, including Sections 13, 15(5) and 16, SERAP said the National Assembly has an obligation to prevent corruption, ensure prudent management of public resources and promote the welfare of Nigerians.

The organisation also pointed to Nigeria’s binding obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption, which requires transparent management of public funds.

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