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SERAP Gives N’Assembly Seven Days To Investigate Alleged Diversion Of N6.3bn Constituency Funds

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the leadership of the National Assembly a seven-day ultimatum to initiate investigations into the alleged diversion and non-accounting of more than N6.3 billion in constituency project funds.

The organisation warned that it would seek legal redress if no action is taken.

The civil society organisation specifically urged the Senate President,t Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately refer the allegations contained in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation to relevant anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

SERAP also called on the National Assembly to ensure that any individual found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists and that all misappropriated or unaccounted public funds are recovered and returned to the national treasury.

The demands were contained in a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. Details of the letter were made public in a statement issued yesterday.

According to the organisation, the allegations are based on findings contained in the Auditor-General’s 2022 Annual Report, which was published on September 9, 2025.

It further urged the National Assembly leadership to disclose the identities of contractors and companies allegedly awarded constituency projects that were either abandoned or never executed, including information on their shareholders and beneficial owners.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter read.

The organisation said the Auditor-General’s report uncovered widespread financial irregularities involving several federal ministries, department,s and agencies that handled constituency projects.

Among the agencies named were the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Plateau State; the Federal Polytechnic, Uka;a, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

According to SERAP, the report highlighted multiple cases of payments into private bank accounts, procurement violations, inflated contracts, undocumented expenditures, payments for contracts that were either not executed or for services not rendered, as well as failures to properly account for public funds.

The organisation said the Auditor-General recommended that all affected sums be recovered and remitted to the federal government’s treasury.

Citing specific findings, SERAP said the report alleged that EHORECON paid N22.94 million from its constituency projects account into private bank accounts belonging to some staff members without evidence showing how the money was utilised or the purpose of the payments.

The council was also accused of awarding consultancy contracts worth more than N12 million in 2021 for the design and supervision of modern abattoir projects in Kebbi and Jigawa States. However, the report allegedly found that the expected project deliverables, including architectural and engineering designs, could not be located.

SERAP said the cumulative questionable constituency project transactions linked to EHORECON exceeded N1.8 billion.

The organisation also pointed to findings involving the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, where over N279.7 million was reportedly paid to three contractors for youth and women empowerment programmes in Niger and Plateau States without supporting documentation.

It added that another N279.7 million was allegedly released as mobilisation fees without proper records, while more than N629.4 million was paid to contractors despite the absence of evidence of competitive bidding, contract advertisements, or proof that the contractors met procurement requirements.

SERAP further alleged that the Auditor-General identified several irregularities at the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, including over N407 million paid as mobilisation without supporting documents, more than N399 million allegedly awarded to unqualified contractors, contract inflation exceeding N192 million, payments of over N279 million for partially executed projects, N50 million paid for an unexecuted borehole project, and over ₦83 million disbursed without the required approvals or documentation.

According to the organisation, the report also accused NAPTIP of irregularly awarding contracts worth over N21.8 million, spending more than ₦176.8 million on logistics and consultancy services without supporting records, and paying over N94 million for projects that were allegedly never executed.

It added that NILDS was cited for failing to submit audited financial statements covering the period from 2012 to 2022, failing to remit over ₦15 million in stamp duties, and spending N1.6 million without the approval of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The organisation maintained that corruption involving constituency projects deprives citizens, particularly poor and vulnerable Nigerians, of essential infrastructure and public services intended to improve their living conditions.

It argued that, as the institution constitutionally empowered to oversee public expenditure, the National Assembly has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of constituency project funds.

SERAP also contended that if the allegations are established, they would amount to violations of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, and the Public Procurement Act, 2007, all of which require prudent management, transparency and accountability in the use of public resources.

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Nigerian Gov Declares Work Free Day

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The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, September 1, 2026, a work-free day for civil servants across the state to observe Takutaha, the annual religious and traditional procession.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved the announcement, which was formally addressed to senior government officials including commissioners, permanent secretaries, and heads of state agencies.

As reported by Daily Trust, the directive was published in Circular No. 7/2026, signed by Abba A. Danguguwa, Permanent Secretary of the Establishment Directorate in the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

Danguguwa issued the statement on behalf of the Head of Service. The circular noted that the holiday falls on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal, 1448AH.

What Is Takutaha? 

Takutaha is a centuries-old celebration held on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal each year. It commemorates the seventh-day naming ceremony following the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and carries deep spiritual and cultural significance for residents of Kano.

Many make their way to Twin Dala and Goron Dutse hills, where they climb to share meals, feast, and enjoy religious performances while overlooking Kano

Kano government’s message to civil servants

In its declaration, the Kano State Government described Takutaha as an occasion of deep communal and spiritual importance. Officials urged civil servants to use the day for prayers and reflection, seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity in Kano and Nigeria as a whole.

The government also confirmed that essential services will continue to operate normally throughout the holiday.

2 public holidays in August 2026

Recall that Nigeria has two public holidays scheduled for August 2026, covering both religious and cultural observances.

Isese Day falls on Thursday, August 20, and four Southwest states are set to observe it as a work-free day.

Eid ul-Mawlid comes up later in August, with its date depending on moon sighting and authorities’ confirmation.

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Just In: Influential APC Chieftain Is Dead, ‘Deep Sadness’ 

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Lagos APC Inaugurates LG Poll Reconciliation Committee

Ibadan, Oyo state – Alhaji Abdul Waheed Akintola Olajide, who served as Secretary to the Oyo State Government during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

He was reported to be either 74 or 80 years old, with different accounts giving conflicting figures.

As reported by The Guardian, Olajide’s family confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday, August 26, describing him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and cousin. The family thanked God for his life and called on friends and the public to offer prayers and support as they grieve, according to PM News. He was buried in Ibadan on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.

Olajide was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was widely regarded as a committed public servant within Oyo State political circles.

Waheed Olajide: Aare Musulumi Pays Tribute

The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola De-Damak, confirmed Olajide’s sad passing and expressed deep sadness over the death.

Through a statement, the Aare Musulumi called Olajide a devout Muslim, a man of integrity and a dedicated public servant who served Oyo State with dignity and a strong sense of responsibility.

He described the loss as “painful” for the late SSG’s family, the Muslim community and Oyo State as a whole.

Olajide’s death: Media Personality Recalls Personal Bond

Faysol Oluwakemi, who is also a media personality, shared a personal tribute on his Facebook page, recalling the role Olajide played during his own political journey ahead of the 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly election. He wrote:

The news of the passing of Alhaji Waheed Olajide, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, is deeply painful to me.

“Beyond the fact that we belonged to the same Progressives family and came from the same Ward 3 in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, Alhaji Waheed Olajide was a father figure, mentor and political elder to me.”

Oluwakemi recalled that Olajide counselled him during campaign consultations and encouraged him even after he lost his party ticket. He quoted one of the late SSG’s pieces of advice:

“You have all the qualities to represent our constituency. I pray you get the ticket. But promise me that whenever you get the ticket, you will represent Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 with dignity, transparency and inclusion.”

He closed his tribute with the words: “Rest well, Baba SSG. Your words will continue to guide me.”

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BREAKING: FG Makes New Appointment

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The Federal Government has appointed a Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Emmanuel Olukemi Rotimi, as a member of the Policy Advisory Committee supporting the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.

Daily Voice reports that Rotimi was selected because of his academic work on the history and development of policing in Nigeria, especially his research into the country’s former decentralised police systems.

According to Nigerian Tribune, the proposed National Policing Bill is being prepared to create a legal framework for the operation of both Federal and State Police Services.

The Presidential Working Group is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The group has been given seven weeks to prepare a draft of the proposed legislation that can be implemented and submit it to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Policy Advisory Committee is headed by retired Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman.

Its duties include providing policy guidance, giving instructions for the drafting process and reviewing the contents of the proposed Bill before it is finalised.

Rotimi is a professor in the Department of History at Obafemi Awolowo University and has spent many years studying Nigeria’s policing system.

His academic work has focused on how policing developed under colonial and post-colonial administrations and the challenges faced by earlier local police institutions.

His master’s research examined the Native Administration Police Forces in Western Nigeria between 1905 and 1951.

He later conducted doctoral research on Native Administration Police Forces across Nigeria from 1900 to 1970.

He also authored The Police in a Federal State: The Nigerian Experience, published in 2001. The book examined the origin, organization, and development of Native Authority and Local Government police forces before those institutions were eventually abolished

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