Akpabio and Abbas are being sued in their personal capacities as well as on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. The National Assembly Service Commission has also been joined as a respondent in the suit.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas over the alleged failure to account for N18.6 billion earmarked for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.
Akpabio and Abbas are being sued in their personal capacities as well as on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. The National Assembly Service Commission has also been joined as a respondent in the suit.
SERAP’s legal action follows serious allegations outlined in the 2022 annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was released on 9 September 2025.
In the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking "an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to account for the whereabouts of ₦18.6bn meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission Office Complex."
SERAP is also seeking "an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to disclose the name of the alleged 'fictitious construction company' that collected N18.6 billion for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex."
Among other things, SERAP is also seeking "an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to provide the assessment reports, bid advertisements, bid quotations and construction contract, minutes of Tender Board's meetings and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Approval for the complex project."
In the lawsuit, SERAP contends that the alleged misappropriation or diversion of ₦18.6 billion meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex represents a serious breach of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.
The organisation is seeking a court order compelling Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and the NASC to account for the funds and disclose the contractors who received payments.
SERAP argues that such accountability would enhance public confidence in democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law, and uphold transparency and integrity in the management of public resources.
According to the 2022 Auditor-General’s report, the NASC reportedly paid over ₦11.6 billion to an unknown construction company for the complex within 24 months, raising questions about oversight and due process.
The suit was filed by SERAP’s legal team, including Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, who emphasised that the National Assembly must live up to its constitutional responsibilities.
SEARP said, "The payment was reportedly made on 11 August 2020. But 'the contract was inflated by over N6.9 billion [N6,930,000.000.00]' and the money was reportedly paid to the construction company on 29 November 2023' 'for the conversion of the roof garden to office space.'
"The contract was reportedly awarded without a Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for the upward of the contract, and the 'BOQ for the contract of N11.6 billion was not priced.'
"Both contracts were reportedly awarded without any needs assessment, newspaper advertisements, bidding process, contract agreement, bidders' quotations and without any approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). There was also no 'Bureau of Public Procurement's Certificate of 'No Objection'.'"
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.