The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged misappropriation of N18.6 billion allocated for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025, was filed last week and also lists the National Assembly Service Commission as a respondent.
SERAP is seeking a court order compelling the top lawmakers and the Commission to publicly account for the funds and disclose details of the company that received the controversial payment.
The legal action follows revelations in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.
The report flagged the spending as unjustified, unaccounted for, and possibly fraudulent, raising fears that the billions earmarked for the project may have been diverted.
SERAP, in its suit, is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing Akpabio, Abbas and the NASC to:
Disclose the identity of the alleged “fictitious construction company” that reportedly received N18.6bn;
Release bidding documents, needs assessment reports, minutes of procurement meetings, contract agreements and Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals for the project.
According to SERAP’s lawyers—Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo—the Auditor-General’s report shows that the Commission paid N11.6bn to an unnamed company on August 11, 2020, for the construction of its office complex, with the contract allegedly inflated by an additional N6.9bn paid on November 29, 2023, for the conversion of a roof garden to office space.
The suit states that the contract was allegedly awarded without a Bill of Quantity, no bidding process, no newspaper advertisement, no tender board minutes, no BPP certificate of no objection, and no FEC approval.
SERAP argues that the alleged diversion constitutes a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution, the Public Procurement Act, and international anti-corruption conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The organisation insists that Nigerians deserve full disclosure of how the funds were spent, saying transparency is essential to building trust in democratic institutions.
“Directing and compelling Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to account for the N18.6bn would strengthen the rule of law, ensure justice, and facilitate the recovery of any proceeds of corruption,” SERAP argued.
The rights group also warned that corruption continues to undermine national development, burdening poor Nigerians with additional costs for basic services while eroding confidence in public institutions.
SERAP contends that as the highest legislative body in the country, the National Assembly must lead by example by adhering to constitutional principles of transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Citing Sections 13, 15(5) and 16 of the Constitution, SERAP reminded the court that lawmakers are legally required to “abolish corrupt practices”, “secure maximum welfare for citizens”, and “manage national resources for the common good.”
The group emphasized that the alleged disappearance of public funds earmarked for infrastructure amounts to a direct assault on public trust.
The Federal High Court has not yet assigned a hearing date for the case.
‘
‘Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
Leave a comment