SERAP Issues Ultimatum to National Assembly Over Alleged Misuse of Constituency Funds
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the leadership of the National Assembly regarding allegations of misappropriation and misuse of constituency project funds exceeding N6.3 billion.
In light of these claims, SERAP has warned that it will pursue legal action should no measures be taken to address the situation.
The civil society organization directed its appeal specifically to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. It urged them to promptly refer the allegations detailed in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor General of the Federation to relevant anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and potential prosecution.
SERAP also called on Parliament to ensure prosecution of any individuals found culpable, where adequate evidence exists, and to recover all misappropriated or unused public funds to the national treasury.
This formal request was articulated in a letter dated June 27, 2026, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare. The details of this letter were disclosed in a statement released yesterday.
The group’s concerns stem from findings in the Auditor General’s 2022 Annual Report, which was released on September 9, 2025.
Call for Transparency in Constituency Projects
SERAP has also urged the leadership of Congress to unveil the identities of the contractors and companies involved in constituency projects that were either abandoned or never initiated, along with information regarding their shareholders and beneficiaries.
The organization has emphasized the necessity for action, stating, “We ask that you take the recommended actions within seven days of receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we do not hear from you by then, SERAP will take all appropriate legal action to compel you and Congress to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
Financial Irregularities Uncovered by Auditor General
The allegations, according to SERAP, reveal widespread financial irregularities across several federal ministries, departments, and agencies managing projects in the district. Notable among these agencies is the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), along with the Federal University of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vomu, Plateau State, Uka Federal University of Technology, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the National Institute for Legislative Democracy (NILDS).
SERAP’s review of the Auditor General’s report indicates multiple operational shortcomings, including payments to private bank accounts, procurement violations, inflated contracts, undocumented expenditures, and payments for services not rendered. Serious discrepancies highlight the lack of accountability regarding public funds.
Specific Violations at EHORECON and Other Institutions
One alarming finding detailed in the report suggests that EHORECON improperly disbursed N22.94 million from its constituency project account to private bank accounts belonging to certain staff members, without any evidence of intended use for these funds. The council is also accused of awarding over N12 million in consultancy contracts in 2021 for the design and supervision of modern abattoir projects in Kebbi and Jigawa states, despite deficiencies in delivering expected project outcomes.
SERAP indicated that the total value of questionable transactions tied to constituency projects overseen by EHORECON surpassed N1.8 billion, with investigations revealing further irregularities.
Irregular Payments Identified at Federal Universities
In a similar vein, SERAP pointed to concerning findings involving the Federal University of Animal Health and Production Technology in Vomu, with claims of over N279.7 million being disbursed without proper documentation to three contractors for youth and women empowerment initiatives in Niger and Plateau states. The report also flagged another N279.7 million paid as mobilization fees lacking adequate records, alongside more than N629.4 million disbursed to contractors without competitive bidding or contract advertisement.
Allegations of Mismanagement at NAPTIP and NILDS
The inquiry has also brought to light concerning practices at NAPTIP, which allegedly awarded contracts exceeding N21.8 million and spent more than N176.8 million on logistics and consulting services without supporting documentation. Furthermore, the report notes that NILDS failed to submit its audited financial statements for the period from 2012 to 2022, did not remit over N15 million in stamp duty, and disbursed N1.6 million without the necessary approval from the Accountant General of the Federation.
Impact of Corruption on Public Welfare
SERAP has asserted that corruption surrounding constituency projects significantly undermines essential services and infrastructure for citizens, particularly affecting vulnerable populations in Nigeria. As the constitutionally mandated body overseeing public spending, Parliament bears the critical responsibility of promoting transparency and accountability in the management of constituency funds.
According to SERAP, should these allegations be substantiated, they would violate provisions outlined in the 1999 Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, and the Public Procurement Act of 2007, all of which emphasize the need for prudent management and transparency in the use of public resources.
