SERAP to NASS: Investigate ₦6.3bn Constituency Fund Diversion
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to investigate allegations that ₦6.3 billion in constituency project funds may have been diverted, misapplied, or remain unaccounted for.
In a letter signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP asked the National Assembly to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted and that diverted funds are recovered and returned to the treasury.
The organisation also demanded full disclosure of contractors and companies—including their shareholders and beneficial owners—that received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects.
The allegations were documented in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 report, published in September 2025, covering pages 367 to 396.
SERAP said the alleged diversion represents a grave violation of public trust, the 1999 Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.
“Allegations of corruption in constituency project funds continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, destroy trust in political institutions, and lead to deficient public services,” the group stated.
The report cited several ministries and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), which allegedly paid over ₦22.9 million into private staff accounts from the Constituency Projects Fund Account without evidence of utilisation.
SERAP stressed that the National Assembly must demonstrate leadership by probing corruption allegations involving projects approved by lawmakers themselves.
“An import ban addresses the symptom while leaving the underlying causes unresolved,” it added.
The group urged NASS to act swiftly, noting that transparency and accountability in constituency projects are critical to restoring public confidence and ensuring funds deliver tangible benefits to citizens.