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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas “to immediately submit allegations that constituency project funds amounting to ₦6.3 billion may have been diverted, misused or remain unaccounted for to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.”
SERAP urges Akpabio and Abbas “to ensure that anyone found responsible will be prosecuted, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and that constituent project funds or other public funds found to have been diverted, or cannot be accounted for, will be returned in full and deposited into the treasury.”
SERAP also asked them “to ensure full disclosure of the names of contractors and companies—including their shareholders and beneficial owners—that received constituent project funds but failed to implement those projects.”
These serious allegations were documented in the 2022 annual report of the Auditor General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.
In a letter dated June 27, 2026 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said: “Allegations that over ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds may have been diverted represent a gross breach of public trust, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), and international standards.”
SERAP said, “Allegations of corruption in the expenditure of constituency project funds continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in political institutions, as well as lead to a lack of public services.”
According to SERAP, “The National Assembly has a responsibility to eradicate allegations of corruption in constituency funds. But the body can only carry out its anti-corruption role effectively if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership in investigating allegations of corruption involving constituency projects approved by parliamentarians.”
The letter, in part, reads: “We would be grateful if the recommended action is taken within 7 days of receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by that time, SERAP will take all necessary legal action to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.
“The allegations implicate several federal ministries, departments and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Volm; the Federal Polytechnic, Udana; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
“The Auditor General identified numerous cases of payments to private bank accounts, contracts awarded without due process, payments for contracts not executed or services not provided, undocumented expenditure, inflated contracts, procurement irregularities and failure to account for public funds, recommending in each case that the funds be returned and remitted to the treasury.”
“According to the 2022 audited report, found on pages 367 to 396, the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON or Council) Abuja paid over ‘N22 million [N22,944,565.16] into the personal accounts of several Council staff members from the Constituency Project Fund Account.
“There is no evidence of use of these funds and no explanation regarding the purpose of paying these amounts to individual accounts.’”
“The council also in 2021 ‘awarded suspicious consultancy contracts worth over N12 million [N12,030,818.29] for the development of a Modern Slaughterhouse in Kebbi State and supervision of 7 projects in Kebbi, Jigawa and Abuja Headquarters.’”
“The money is used to ‘create bills of quantities, architectural designs, structural designs, mechanical designs, and electrical designs for contracting and supervision.’ But ‘the item couldn’t be found.’”
“The council ‘awarded contracts of over N404 million [N404,480,531.24] to companies without an adequate registration profile. Some companies ‘used two names, and used invalid Tax Clearance Certificates (TCCs) on payment vouchers for some contracts.’”
“The council also ‘awarded contracts of over N103 million [N103,250,000.00] for capacity building without any paperwork.’ There is no evidence that the three contractors who collected the money were involved in capacity building activities. ‘The names of the contractors were not on the event banners and flyers.’”
“The council reportedly ‘paid over N656 million [N656,295,589.44] for constituency and zonal intervention projects without any permission.’”
“The council in 2021 also paid ‘over N389 million [N389,613,540.00] to contractors to develop a modern abattoir, improve hygiene and sanitation of meat handling at Argungu Market, Suru, North Kebbi.’ But ‘the contract was never executed.’”
“’The project drawings used for the first contractor are the same as those used for the second contractor.’”
“The council ‘awarded 12 contracts worth over N563 million [N563,999,524.37] without any engineering measurement bill.’ Most ‘contracts were awarded long before their consultancy contracts for design and draft bills of quantities were awarded.’”
“Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom in 2022 reportedly ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] to 3 contractors to empower and train youth in selected vocational fields in Borgu and Kontagora, Niger State, train women and youth in entrepreneurship in Niger East Senatorial District and to train youth and women in agricultural production and self-reliance in Barki Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Plateau State.”
“But ‘the money was paid to the contractor without any documents.’”
“The College also ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] as mobilization fees to several contractors for construction and supplies but without any documents.’ There is also ‘no evidence that the College confirmed the authenticity of the Prepayment Guarantee (APG) from the bank before the mobilization fee was paid.’”
“Colleges in 2022 ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] to unqualified contractors for the provision of services such as medical outreach, youth empowerment and vocational training.’”
“There is no evidence of the procurement process and the contractor’s eligibility for the contract awarded, no company profile, no registration certificate, no tax clearance certificate, and no proof of images of the project being implemented.”
“Colleges in 2022 ‘pay over N629 million [N629,424,345,88] to unqualified contractors to supply fertilizer to Shendam/Quan’anpan/Mikang Federal Constituency, Plateau State; training for women and youth in Kwara North Senatorial District and Ifelodu/Oyu/Offa Federal Constituency; and installing solar street lights in Nkalagu Isielu LGA, Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Ebonyi State.’”
“’The money also includes payments to contractors for various Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituencies, locations in Plateau State; to train youth and women in entrepreneurship in unknown locations; to train them in self-reliance in Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency; to promote Animal Husbandry and train youth and women in Plateau South and North Senatorial Districts.’”
“But ‘there was no documentation regarding how the money was spent, and no details regarding contractors were provided.’ ‘There was also no advertisement of the contract, no minutes of the Procurement Planning Committee, and no financial and technical evaluation report of the bid.’”
“Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa-Ibom State also ‘paid over N407 million [N407,179,495.39] to several contractors as mobilization costs for construction and supplies, but without any documents. There is also ‘no evidence that the College confirmed the authenticity of the Prepayment Guarantee (APG) from the bank before the mobilization costs were paid to the contractor.’”
“Polytechnics in 2022 ‘pay over N399 million [N399,907,888.85] to unqualified contractors for medical outreach, youth empowerment and vocational training.”
“There is no evidence of the procurement process and the contractor’s eligibility for the contract awarded, no company profile, no registration certificate, no tax clearance certificate, and no proof of images of the project being implemented.”
“Polytechnics ‘raised contracts for the supply of solar power and street lights by over N192 million [N192,722,419.10]’. ‘The contract is for the supply of solar power and street lights to be installed in the University of Calabar, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, some areas in Orolu Local Government of Osun State, and some areas in Ikot Ekpene/Obot Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State.”
“The Polytechnic ‘paid over N83 million [83,867,428.50] for constituencies and other allowance provisions without any documents.’ ‘Such payments were made to several contractors without any approval and without any withdrawal of money.’”
“Polytechnics in 2022 ‘pay over N279 million [N276,320,435.13] for contracts that have not been fully implemented.’ ‘The payment is for the construction of a mini stadium, the construction of open and key shops, the provision of solar powered refrigeration rooms.’”
“The Polytechnic also ‘paid N50 million [N50,000,000.00] for unenforced contracts.’ ‘The money was paid to a contractor for the fencing and provision of a solar borehole at Yauri Twon Hall, Kebbi South Senatorial District. But the ‘borehole has been there for more than 20 years. The contract was awarded for an existing drill hole.’ ‘The contractor has not executed any contracts.’”
“The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) irregularly awarded contracts worth over N21 million [N21,879,025.00] to contractors for outreach on the impact of child labor in Lokoja/Koto Federal Constituency, Kogi State.’ ‘The three contractors who submitted bids for the work were related, as the details, including the telephone numbers of each company, were the same.’”
“There is a difference between the amount of training done and the number of people trained.’”
“NAPTIP’ paid out over N176 million [N176,823,565.10] to contractors for logistics, security and consultancy costs, as well as sensitization programs’, but ‘without any documentation.””
“NAPTIP also ‘paid out over N89 million [N89,642,300.00] to contractors for the supply of all-in-one solar lights at selected locations in Yobe-North Senatorial District, Yobe State.’ ‘The contractor was paid in full but failed to deliver the project.’”
“NAPTIP ‘irregularly awarded contracts worth over N4 million [N4,463,300.00] for the renovation and furnishing of classrooms in Kaltungo/Shangom Federal Constituency, Gombe State.’ The contractor has been paid in full but no project has been implemented.’”
“The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies ‘failed to submit any audited financial reports for the years 2012 to 2022 to the Auditor General of the Federation without any justification.’ The Auditor General wants the financial statements submitted.”
