The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Godswill Akpabio, president of the Senate, and Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the House of Representatives, to refer allegations of misappropriation of over N6.3 billion in constituency project funds to anti-corruption agencies.
SERAP made the call in a statement on Sunday.
Wants anti-graft probe
The organisation urged the leadership of the national assembly to ensure a thorough investigation of the allegations.
It also called for the prosecution of anyone found culpable.
“We have urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to urgently refer allegations that ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds may have been diverted, misapplied, or remain unaccounted for to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies,” the statement reads.
“We urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted, where there is sufficient admissible evidence.”
Seeks recovery of funds
Furthermore, SERAP asked the national assembly to recover any constituency project funds found to have been diverted.
It said the recovered money should be returned to the public treasury.
The organisation also demanded the disclosure of contractors linked to the projects.
“We also called on them to ensure the full disclosure of the names of the contractors and companies — including their shareholders and beneficial owners — that received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects,” it said.
Cites Auditor-General’s report
Meanwhile, SERAP said the allegations were contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 annual report, published on September 9, 2025.
According to the organisation, the reported diversion of more than N6.3 billion represents a serious breach of public trust and constitutional obligations.
“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, and international standards,” it said.
‘National Assembly must lead by example’
SERAP argued that corruption involving constituency projects undermines public services, economic development and confidence in democratic institutions.
It added that the national assembly must demonstrate leadership by investigating the allegations involving projects approved by lawmakers.
“The National Assembly has a responsibility to curb allegations of corruption in constituency funds,” the statement said.
“But the body can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption involving the constituency projects approved by the lawmakers.”
