The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to immediately refer allegations surrounding the alleged diversion, misapplication and disappearance of more than ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds to relevant anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The organisation also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that any public official or contractor found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, while all misappropriated constituency project funds are fully recovered and returned to the national treasury.

In a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP also demanded the public disclosure of all contractors and companies that received constituency project funds but allegedly failed to execute the projects. The group requested that the names of the companies, their shareholders and beneficial owners be made public to promote accountability and transparency.

According to SERAP, the allegations are contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025. The organisation described the findings as a serious breach of public trust, constitutional provisions and internationally recognised anti-corruption standards.

“The allegations that over ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds may have been diverted suggest a grave violation of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and international standards,” the letter stated. SERAP argued that persistent allegations of corruption involving constituency projects continue to undermine economic development, weaken public confidence in democratic institutions and deny Nigerians access to quality public services.

SERAP gave the leadership of the National Assembly seven days to act on its demands. It warned that failure to initiate the recommended actions within the stipulated period would compel the organisation to commence legal proceedings in the public interest.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request.” The organisation maintained that the National Assembly cannot effectively exercise oversight over government agencies while ignoring allegations involving constituency projects approved by lawmakers themselves.

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report identified numerous cases involving payments into private bank accounts, contracts allegedly awarded without due process, payments for projects that were never executed, undocumented expenditures, inflated contract values and procurement irregularities across several federal agencies.

Among the agencies named were the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). The Auditor-General recommended that all questionable payments be recovered and remitted to the Federal Government treasury.

The report alleged that EHORECON paid ₦22.94 million from its Constituency Projects Fund into private accounts belonging to members of staff without evidence showing how the money was utilised.

The council was also said to have awarded consultancy contracts worth over ₦12 million for the design and supervision of modern abattoirs in Kebbi State and projects in Kebbi, Jigawa and Abuja, despite investigators reportedly being unable to locate the items produced under the contracts.

Further allegations include: contracts worth over ₦404 million awarded to companies with inadequate registration profiles and invalid Tax Clearance Certificates, more than ₦103 million paid for capacity-building programmes without supporting documentation or evidence that the contractors participated, ₦656.29 million reportedly spent on constituency and zonal intervention projects without proper authorisation, ₦389.61 million paid for modern abattoir projects in Kebbi State that auditors said were never executed, twelve contracts worth more than ₦563.99 million allegedly awarded without priced bills of engineering measurements.

The report also noted that identical project photographs were reportedly used to justify payments made to different contractors.

The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, was also cited over several constituency intervention projects. According to the report, the institution paid over ₦279.7 million to contractors for youth empowerment and vocational training programmes without supporting documentation. Another ₦279.7 million was allegedly paid as mobilisation fees without documentary evidence or proof that Advance Payment Guarantees were verified by banks.

The college was further accused of awarding contracts worth ₦629.42 million to unqualified contractors for projects including fertiliser distribution, entrepreneurship training, installation of solar street lights and agricultural empowerment programmes without procurement records or contractor details.

The report further alleged that the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, paid more than ₦407.17 million as mobilisation fees without proper documentation. Auditors also questioned:

• ₦399.9 million allegedly paid to unqualified contractors for medical outreach, youth empowerment and vocational training.
• Inflation of solar power and streetlight contracts by more than ₦192.72 million.
• ₦83.86 million paid as constituency-related allowances without approvals or retirement documents.
• ₦276.32 million spent on projects that were reportedly not fully executed.
• ₦50 million paid for fencing and a solar-powered borehole project in Kebbi South despite the borehole already existing for over 20 years.

SERAP also highlighted findings involving NAPTIP. According to the report, the agency allegedly awarded contracts worth ₦21.87 million for child labour sensitisation programmes where multiple bidding companies reportedly shared identical contact details. Other findings include:

• ₦176.82 million reportedly paid for logistics, consultancy services and sensitisation programmes without documentation.
• ₦89.64 million paid for solar lighting projects in Yobe North that auditors said were never executed.
• ₦4.46 million paid for classroom renovation and furnishing in Gombe State despite no project being carried out.

The National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies was also criticised for allegedly failing to submit audited financial statements covering the period from 2012 to 2022. The Auditor-General additionally alleged that the institute failed to remit more than ₦15 million in stamp duties collected from contracts and spent ₦1.6 million without authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

SERAP argued that the allegations represent possible violations of several Nigerian laws, including the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007.

The organisation referenced Section 15(5) of the Constitution, which requires public institutions to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power. It also cited Sections 16, 19, 24, 25, 35 and 58 of the Public Procurement Act, which require transparency, competitive bidding and accountability in public procurement while criminalising procurement fraud.

SERAP concluded that poor and vulnerable Nigerians continue to bear the greatest consequences of corruption through reduced access to healthcare, education and other essential public services, stressing that the National Assembly must demonstrate leadership by ensuring the allegations are thoroughly investigated.