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 their alleged failure to account for ₦18.6 billion intended for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.
The NASC itself is also named as a respondent in the suit.
The legal action, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja (suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025), follows allegations highlighted in the 2022 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, released on 9 September 2025.
SERAP is seeking a mandamus order directing Akpabio, Abbas, and the NASC to account for the ₦18.6 billion allocated for the complex, Disclose the name of the alleged “fictitious construction company” that received the funds and Provide assessment reports, bid advertisements, quotations, contracts, Tender Board minutes, and Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals relating to the project.
According to SERAP, the alleged diversion or misappropriation of the funds violates public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.
The organization emphasized that Nigerians have the right to know how public money is spent and that enforcing transparency would strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.
The 2022 audit report revealed that over ₦11.6 billion was paid to an unknown construction company between 2020 and 2023 for the construction of the NASC complex and conversion of a roof garden into office space.
The contracts reportedly lacked a Bill of Quantity, needs assessments, advertisements, bidding processes, contract agreements, and FEC approval.
There was also no Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
SERAP argues that the alleged mismanagement of funds has serious social and economic consequences, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians, and undermines trust in public institutions.
The organization further cited sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the UN Convention against Corruption, which impose clear responsibilities on public institutions to manage resources transparently and for the common good.
The lawsuit, filed by SERAP lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, asserts that granting the relief sought would promote accountability, recover misappropriated funds, and reinforce public confidence in the National Assembly.
No hearing date for the suit has been fixed.
