The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) gave the leadership of the National Assembly 7 days to initiate an investigation into the alleged diversion of the millions of Naira it diverted from constituency projects or face legal challenge for trying to ensure better accountability over the use of public funds.
SERAP has requested in various letters dated June 28, 2026, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to immediately set up an “independent and public” probe into the allegations. If there is enough evidence of wrongdoing, then the decision must be sent to the relevant anti-corruption bodies for the constitutional experts of that country to prosecute those found guilty of the offense, the organisation said.
According to the rights organisation, the demand is in response to some of the findings declared by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAGF) in its audit report of the Federal Government’s budget, which was released in 2023 and showed offenders badgering ₦6.3 billion that was allocated for constituency projects.
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The audit, comments SERAP, showed some concern about the payment of money on projects which were not executed realized, poorly executed and poorly accounted for, engaging a range of issues relating to the inadequate public financial management and supervision.
According to an information statement signed by the Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, as such, constituency projects should be fully transparent and accountable, because they are funded using public funds.
The organisation pointed out that as the national assembly is a constitutional body, it has moral responsibility to make sure appropriated money is producting development instead of means to financial abuse.
SERAP also called on Senator Akpabio and Speaker Abbas to keep turning over the names of its members who are involved in dubious projects in the Auditor-General’s Report to the public and ensure that the money stolen by issue of grants, loans or otherwise is recovered in cases of guilt.
It claimed that the absence of action based on the audits would jeopardize the integrity of the legislative body and public confidence in what they had done to fight against corruption and hold the government to account.
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One of the areas that have been a topic of discussion over budgeting process in Nigeria is the constituency projects. While politicians say the projects bring development to “under-served areas,” delays in implementing them, contract mangledness, overpriced projects and poor oversight and monitoring have all been raised questions.
Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation audit reports have pointed to issues with compliance with procurement and financial management laws repeatedly.
If the national assembly appoints the wrong man to be its chairman, it will be left without any dignity on earth and in heaven, but if it happens, the National Assembly leadership will be dogged by lawyers, according to SERAP, and if within seven days, it still doesn’t start investigating, then SERAP will look at the law to see how it can compel the National Assembly to adhere to the provisions of the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act, the Public Procurement Act and Nigeria’s obligation under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
The organisation maintained that the investigation of allegations would help strengthen its transparency and serve to protect public resources and help build citizens’ trust in democratic governance.
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The Senate President’s office and Speaker’s office have not responded to SERAP’s calls as of the time of filing of this report.
