SERAP gave the National Assembly a seven-day deadline to act on its recommendations, warning that it would initiate legal proceedings if there is no response within the stipulated period
KaNo —
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently investigate allegations of diversion and non-accounting of over ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds, as detailed in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report.
In a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to refer the matter to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.
SERAP’s demand was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, in which the group stressed the need for accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
It also urged the National Assembly to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, and that all diverted or unaccounted funds are fully recovered and remitted into the public treasury.
The report reportedly uncovered widespread financial irregularities across several federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) linked to the handling of constituency project funds.
The organisation further called on the leadership of the National Assembly to disclose the identities of contractors and companies that allegedly received payments for constituency projects but failed to execute them.
It also requested details of the shareholders and beneficial owners of such entities, noting that transparency in this regard would help strengthen public trust and deter future misconduct.
SERAP gave the National Assembly a seven-day deadline to act on its recommendations, warning that it would initiate legal proceedings if there is no response within the stipulated period.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel compliance in the public interest,” the letter stated.
The organisation highlighted several agencies implicated in the report, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology in Vom, the Federal Polytechnic Ukana in Akwa Ibom State, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report documented numerous cases of financial misconduct, including payments made into private bank accounts, contracts awarded without due process, payments for projects not executed, undocumented expenditures, inflated contract values, and general failure to account for public funds.
In one instance, the report alleged that EHORECON paid over ₦22 million into private accounts belonging to some of its staff from the constituency project fund account, without any evidence of how the funds were utilised or explanations for the payments.
However, the report noted that deliverables for these contracts, such as bills of quantities and architectural designs, could not be found.
The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, was also implicated in alleged irregularities.
The report indicated that the institution paid over ₦279 million to contractors for training programmes targeting youths and women in Niger and Plateau states without proper documentation.
Additionally, another ₦279.7 million was reportedly disbursed as mobilisation fees without supporting records, while over ₦629 million was paid to contractors without evidence of due process, including lack of contract advertisements and missing contractor details.
These include the payment of over ₦407 million as mobilisation fees without documentation, over ₦399 million to unqualified contractors, and the inflation of contracts by more than ₦192 million.
The institution was also accused of paying over ₦279 million for projects that were not fully executed, ₦50 million for an uncompleted borehole project, and more than ₦83 million without the required approvals or documentation.
It also reportedly disbursed funds for projects that were not executed.
In the case of NILDS, the report noted that the institute failed to submit audited financial statements for a ten-year period spanning 2012 to 2022.
It also allegedly failed to remit over ₦15 million in stamp duties and spent ₦1.6 million without proper authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
SERAP emphasised that the Auditor-General had recommended the recovery of all affected funds and their remittance into the treasury, a recommendation it said must be implemented without delay.
The organisation argued that corruption in constituency projects has far-reaching consequences, particularly for poor and vulnerable Nigerians who rely on such projects for access to basic services and infrastructure.
It further stressed that the National Assembly, in exercising its constitutional oversight functions, must demonstrate leadership by ensuring accountability in the management of constituency funds.
According to the group, the allegations, if proven, would constitute violations of key legal frameworks governing public finance in Nigeria, including the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, and the Public Procurement Act 2007, all of which mandate transparency, accountability, and due process.
The call by SERAP adds to growing concerns about financial mismanagement in public institutions and underscores the need for stronger institutional reforms to combat corruption.
