The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their alleged failure to account for ?18.6bn reportedly allocated for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission office complex.

SERAP filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, naming Akpabio and Abbas as defendants on behalf of all members of the National Assembly, and joining the NASC as a respondent.

In a statement signed yesterday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the suit followed “grave allegations” contained in the 2022 annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.

Citing details from the Auditor-General’s report, SERAP said the NASC “paid over N11.6 billion [N11,647,302,594.00] to ‘an unknown construction company’ for ‘the construction of the Commission’s Complex within 24 months.’

“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 review 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, or any approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). There was also no Bureau of Public Procurement Certificate of ‘No Objection’.”

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General fears the N18.6 billion budgeted for the construction of the Commission’s office complex and the conversion of the roof garden to office space “may have been diverted, misappropriated or stolen” and wants the money accounted for.

SERAP, in the suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, is seeking an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio, Abbas and the NASC to “account for the whereabouts of ?18.6bn meant for the construction of the NASC office complex.”

The organisation is also asking the court to compel the respondents to disclose the name of the “fictitious construction company” that allegedly received the funds, as well as make public the assessment reports, bid advertisements, bid quotations, contract documents, minutes of Tender Board meetings and the Federal Executive Council approval for the project.

SERAP argued that the alleged diversion or misappropriation of the ?18.6bn amounts to a violation of public trust, the 1999 Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.

“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the ?18.6bn and details of the contractors that collected the money,” it said, noting that granting the orders sought would “serve legitimate public interests” and strengthen democratic institutions.

The suit stated that the National Assembly must “uphold and defend the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”

SERAP argued that granting its reliefs would ensure accountability, enable the recovery of any diverted funds and promote public trust.

The organisation cited various constitutional provisions that require public institutions to prevent corrupt practices, manage national resources responsibly and safeguard the welfare of citizens.

It also referenced Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The legal action comes after SERAP had earlier, on October 19, urged both Akpabio and Abbas to explain the alleged missing funds.

Troops of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have neutralised four armed militia members and recovered weapons during an operation launched in response to renewed communal violence in Usmanu Village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, disclosed this in a statement., yesterday.

The Brigade said the deployment followed “credible intelligence indicating a resurgence of long-standing land disputes between the Shomo and Wurkun communities,” which had escalated into armed clashes and the burning of houses.

According to the Army, troops came under fire shortly after arriving in the area, prompting a brief exchange during which four assailants were killed.

The operation led to the recovery of three dane guns, one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.

The Army also confirmed the arrest of a personnel of the Nigeria Police Force found operating alongside the armed militia.

He is currently undergoing investigation “to determine his level of involvement.”

Commander, 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the soldiers for their swift action.

He commended the troops “for their prompt response, bravery, and adherence to professional rules of engagement.”

Uwa reiterated the Brigade’s resolve to restore stability in the state, saying it remained “determined to rid Taraba State of criminal elements and maintain operational momentum across all areas of responsibility.”

He further assured residents of the Brigade’s commitment to peace.

According to him, 6 Brigade remains unwavering in “restoring lasting peace and stability,” while urging communities to embrace peaceful coexistence and support security agencies with information.

The Army called on residents to remain calm and report suspicious activities as operations under Operation Peace Shield, Operation Lafiya Nakowa and Operation Zafin Wuta continue.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a social media-based drug distribution network packaging illicit substances as imported Christmas cookies and snacks, arresting two masterminds in Lagos.

The Agency’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.

According to the statement, the syndicate allegedly imported consignments of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, alongside colourful designer sachets branded with cookie and snack labels.

The packaging, according to investigators, was used to disguise retail quantities of the psychoactive substance.

The syndicate reportedly sold and distributed the drugs through a WhatsApp network.

The statement said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered and dismantled a social media network used to distribute illicit substances packaged as imported Christmas cookies and snacks with two masterminds arrested and taken into custody after a raid on their hideout in the Lekki area of Lagos.

“The drug syndicate run by the duo of Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi had imported consignments of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and a variety of colourful designer sachets with pictures and labels of cookies and snacks printed on them, and used to package the psychoactive substance in retail quantities.

“Following credible intelligence about the activities of the syndicate which operates and distributes through a WhatsApp platform, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 22nd November 2025 raided their apartment at Ojulari street, Ikate area of Lekki where a large quantity of the designer sachets and 5kilograms of Loud were recovered from them at the point of their arrest.

In a separate operation in Lagos, the Agency arrested 38-year-old drug kingpin, Philip Ucheka, in Ladipo, Mushin, while he was taking delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg. Three delivery vehicles used for distribution were also impounded.

In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, last Thursday, 27th November arrested a 38-year-old drug kingpin, Philip Ucheka, while taking delivery of 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg at Ladipo area of Mushin. At the point of his arrest, three delivery vehicles were also seized from him.

At a courier company also in the state, NDLEA officers intercepted 100 grams of Loud concealed inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand while 548 capsules of tramadol hidden in Vitamin C and Magnesium bottles bound for the United Kingdom were seized from a logistics firm.

The statement added, “At a courier company in Lagos, 100grams of Loud concealed in a teddy bear imported from Thailand were intercepted on Thursday 27th November while a consignment of 548 capsules of tramadol hidden in bottles of Vitamin C and Magnesium going to the United Kingdom were recovered at another logistics firm the following day, Friday 28th November.”

In Oyo State, officers arrested 55-year-old Wasiu Kareem with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine, 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 1,500 Co-codamol pills, and 9,900 tramadol capsules.

“In Oyo state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Lagos -Ibadan expressway on Saturday 29th November nabbed a suspect Wasiu Kareem, 55, with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 590 bottles of codeine syrup; 1,500 pills of Co-codamol and 9,900 capsules of tramadol.

In Ondo State, seven suspects were arrested during a raid on the Ipe forest where 3,077kg of skunk was recovered,” the Agency said.

The statement added, “No fewer than seven suspects were arrested on Monday 24th November when NDLEA operatives raided the Ipe forest in Akoko South East area of Ondo State where they recovered 3,077 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis. Those arrested include: John Ede; Ede Ndubuisi; Ikenna Abe; Eze Chukwuma; Maduabuchi Odo; Nnaji Chudubem and George Okowor.

In Kogi State, Anthony Sylvester, 49, was arrested along the Okene–Lokoja while transporting 649kg of skunk in a truck.

“While Anthony Sylvester, 49, was arrested along the Okene/Lokoja highway Kogi state conveying 649kg of skunk in a truck on Wednesday 26th November, NDLEA officers at the Seme Special Area Command on Friday 28th November raided a warehouse at Ashipa, Seme border area of Badagry, Lagos where they arrested a suspect Abubakar Shuaibu, 33, with 487 blocks of skunk weighing 243.5kg,” the statement explained.

Along Zaria–Kano Road in Kano, officers arrested 47-year-old Tsalha Alasan with 137kg of skunk on Monday, November 24.

In Bauchi State, three suspects were arrested in Fanshanu village, Toro LGA, with 322 blocks of skunk weighing 209kg. A black Toyota Highlander (ABJ 533 EA) used for transportation was also seized.

The statement said, “In Kano, Tsalha Alasan, 47, was arrested along Zaria-Kano road with 137kg skunk on Monday 24th November, while three suspects: Godspower Appeal, 50; Ernest Upong, 55; and Godday Chukwudi, 38, were nabbed on Wednesday 26th November with 322 blocks of skunk weighing 209kilograms at Fanshanu village, Toro LGA, Bauchi state. A black Toyota Highlander jeep marked ABJ 533 EA used in conveying the consignment was also recovered from them.”

NDLEA officers also arrested 51-year-old John Ekojo with 210.15kg of skunk along the Abuja–Jos highway while a couple, Abdullahi Abubakar, 45, and Jamila Abdullahi, 35, were arrested with 725 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition hidden in a sack of maize. Separately, Awwal Sabiu, 20, was caught with 400 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition at the Abuja/Kaduna tollgate.

“A suspect John Ekojo, 51, was arrested with 210.15kg skunk along Abuja/Jos highway on Saturday 29th November, while a couple: Abdullahi Abubakar, 45, and Jamila Abdullahi, 35, were nabbed along Abuja/Kaduna highway with 725 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition concealed in a sack of maize just as another suspect Awwal Sabiu, 20, was caught with 400 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition at Abuja/Kaduna tollgate on Friday 28th November,” the statement added.