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 alleged disappearance of N18.6 billion meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.
The suit, filed on behalf of all members of the National Assembly, also joins the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) as a respondent.
SERAP Drags National Assembly to Court
The legal action follows serious allegations documented in the 2022 report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025. According to the report, the N18.6 billion released for the NASC Office Complex cannot be properly accounted for.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP seeks an order of mandamus to compel Akpabio, Abbas, and the NASC to:
Explain the whereabouts of the N18.6 billion allocated for the construction project.
Reveal the identity of the “fictitious construction company” alleged to have received the funds.
Provide all relevant documents, including bid advertisements, quotations, contract papers, tender board minutes, assessment reports, and Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals.
SERAP: Nigerians Deserve Transparency
SERAP argues that the alleged misappropriation represents a serious breach of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.
The rights group insists that Nigerians have a right to know how public funds were used and who benefited from the controversial contract.
According to SERAP:
“The National Assembly ought to live up to its constitutional responsibilities by upholding transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.”
They further stated that compelling the lawmakers to provide answers would help strengthen democratic institutions, promote accountability, and boost public confidence.
Hearing Date Yet to Be Fixed
The case was filed by SERAP’s legal team — Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo.
The Federal High Court has not yet fixed a date for the hearing.
