Probe ₦6.3bn constituency funds or face legal action, SERAP tells Akpabio, Abbas

A socio-economic rights watchdog, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has issued a stern ultimatum to Nigeria's legislative leaders, demanding they investigate alleged misuse of over ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds. The call comes after the Auditor-General of the Federation's 2022 Annual Report highlighted significant financial discrepancies linked to these funds. In a formal letter dated June 27, 2026, signed by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to refer the matter to anti-corruption agencies for further inquiry and potential prosecution.

SERAP emphasized that the allegations, which include the diversion of public funds and improper contractual practices, represent a serious breach of public trust and constitutional obligations. It cited specific instances detailed in the Auditor-General's report, noting that multiple federal agencies had engaged in questionable financial activities. These included payments made directly into private bank accounts, contracts awarded without proper procedures, and expenditures for services that were either not rendered or poorly documented. The watchdog expressed concern that such actions undermined national development efforts and eroded confidence in political institutions.

The letter outlined several key concerns raised by the Auditor-General's findings. For instance, the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) was accused of transferring over ₦22 million into the personal accounts of its employees using funds allocated for constituency projects. There was no clear documentation or justification for these transfers, raising questions about their legitimacy. Additionally, EHORECON reportedly awarded consultancy contracts worth over ₦12 million in 2021 for modern abattoir developments and project supervision in various states. However, the necessary deliverables—such as architectural and engineering designs—were not found, suggesting that the funds might have been misused.

Other institutions under scrutiny included the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, which reportedly spent over ₦279 million on training programs for youth in vocational areas. This expenditure raised eyebrows given the lack of transparency regarding how these funds were utilized. Similarly, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) were implicated in various financial irregularities, including inflated contracts and failure to account for public funds.

SERAP warned that if the National Assembly did not act within seven days of receiving the letter, it would pursue legal avenues to compel compliance. The organization stressed that the National Assembly must demonstrate exemplary leadership in addressing these allegations, especially since the funds were approved by lawmakers themselves. Failure to do so, according to SERAP, would not only be a dereliction of duty but also a betrayal of public trust.

Reactions from the affected institutions have yet to be formally documented, though the implications of these allegations are profound. If substantiated, the findings could lead to widespread reforms in how constituency funds are managed and monitored. They also highlight the need for greater accountability mechanisms to prevent future misuse of public resources. As the situation unfolds, the response from both the National Assembly and the implicated agencies will be crucial in determining whether these allegations are addressed transparently and effectively.