SERAP Gives Akpabio, Abbas 7-Day Deadline Over ₦6.3bn Constituency Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to ensure allegations involving more than ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds are investigated, warning that it will take legal action if no steps are taken within seven days.

In a letter dated June 27, 2026, SERAP urged the National Assembly leadership to refer the allegations contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The group also called for the recovery of any public funds found to have been diverted or left unaccounted for and their return to the government treasury.

SERAP made its position known in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. It also asked the National Assembly to make public the names of contractors, companies and their owners that allegedly collected money for constituency projects but failed to execute them.

The organisation warned that it would file a lawsuit if the National Assembly failed to respond within seven days.

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report listed several federal ministries, departments and agencies where financial irregularities were discovered. These include the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria, the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies.

The report alleged that the Environmental Health Registration Council paid more than ₦22 million from constituency project funds into private accounts belonging to some staff members without evidence showing how the money was used. It also questioned consultancy contracts worth over ₦12 million awarded for projects linked to Kebbi and Jigawa states after auditors reportedly found no evidence of the work.

SERAP said the report also linked the council to transactions involving more than ₦1.8 billion in constituency project funds that require further investigation.

The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, was also mentioned over payments of more than ₦279 million to contractors for youth and women empowerment programmes in Niger and Plateau states without supporting documents. The report further alleged that similar amounts were paid as mobilisation fees without proper records, while over ₦629 million was allegedly paid to contractors without proof that due process was followed.

The Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, was accused of making payments running into hundreds of millions of naira without adequate documentation. The report also raised concerns about mobilisation fees, inflated contracts, payments for incomplete projects and money released for projects that were reportedly never carried out.

SERAP added that NAPTIP was accused of awarding contracts irregularly, paying for logistics and consultancy services without supporting records, and releasing funds for projects that auditors said were not executed.

The report also alleged that the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies failed to submit audited financial statements covering several years, did not remit over ₦15 million in stamp duties and spent public funds without the required approval.

SERAP said the allegations, if proven, would amount to violations of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Public Procurement Act. The group added that constituency project funds are meant to improve the lives of Nigerians and should not be diverted through questionable transactions.