The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas over the failure to account for N18.6 billion allocated for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) office complex.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025, also lists the NASC as a respondent.
Senator Akpabio and speaker Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
SERAP’s action follows findings in the 2022 annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, released on 9 September.
The report alleges that funds meant for the project were paid to what it described as an “unknown” or “fictitious” construction company and that procurement processes were not followed.
SERAP is asking the court for an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio, Abbas and the NASC to explain the whereabouts of the N18.6 billion and disclose the identity of the contractor that received the funds.
The organisation is also seeking an order directing the respondents to release all procurement records, including assessment reports, bid advertisements, quotations, contract documents, minutes of tender board meetings and Federal Executive Council approvals.
In the suit, SERAP argues that the alleged diversion violates the Constitution and Nigeria’s international commitments on anti-corruption.
The statement reads, “The National Assembly ought to live up to its constitutional responsibilities by upholding and defending the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”
SERAP adds that granting the reliefs sought would serve the public interest.
It states, “Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the N18.6 billion and details of the contractors that collected the money.”
According to the Auditor-General’s report, the NASC paid more than N11.6 billion to a construction company on 11 August 2020 for a 24-month contract to build the commission’s complex, but the contract was later inflated by over N6.9 billion.
Another payment was reportedly made on 29 November 2023 for the conversion of a roof garden into office space.
The report states that both contracts were awarded without a Bill of Quantity, bidding process, needs assessment, advertisements, contract agreement, bidders’ quotations, Bureau of Public Procurement clearance or Federal Executive Council approval.
The Auditor-General warned that the funds may have been diverted, misappropriated or stolen and requested that the payments be accounted for.
SERAP further argues that lack of accountability imposes economic and social costs on citizens.
It said, “Corruption traps the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprives them of opportunities. The National Assembly therefore has a responsibility to curb it.”
The organisation also cites constitutional provisions requiring public institutions to prevent corrupt practices and manage national resources for the common good, as well as Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.
A date for the hearing of the suit has not been fixed.
