The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the National Assembly to disclose all documents relating to the approval of over ₦1.3 billion allegedly allocated to what the Presidency has described as a non-existent presidential council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated July 4, 2026, SERAP urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to release certified copies of all records relating to the approval of ₦1,302,978,784 earmarked for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The rights organisation also demanded that the National Assembly invoke its constitutional oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to investigate how the allocation was made and identify anyone responsible for any irregularities.
SERAP further requested certified records identifying the lawmakers and committees that considered the budget provision, as well as the names and official designations of public officials who defended the proposed allocation during the appropriation process.
It also asked the National Assembly to clarify whether the controversial allocation originated from the Executive’s budget proposal or was introduced during legislative consideration, and whether any lawmaker questioned the legal status or existence of the council before approving the expenditure.
The demand follows reports that the PFIPC/Presidential Economic Advisory Council received over ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 budget despite the Presidency’s public declaration that the body does not exist and was never established by the Federal Government.
In the FoI request signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the conflicting accounts had cast serious doubt on the integrity of Nigeria’s budget process and legislative oversight.
“These conflicting accounts raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process, legislative oversight, public financial management and accountability,” SERAP stated.
The organisation argued that the National Assembly has a constitutional obligation not only to approve budget proposals but also to rigorously scrutinise them before authorising public expenditure.
“Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law. The National Assembly ought to keep an eye on what the Executive is doing and keep the Presidency and government agencies in check by thoroughly scrutinising budget proposals before any authorisation,” SERAP said.
According to the group, Nigerians deserve to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that was never legally established and how such an allocation found its way into the Appropriation Act.
SERAP maintained that releasing the requested records would enable citizens to determine whether lawmakers fulfilled their constitutional responsibilities under Sections 80, 81, 88 and 89 of the Constitution in approving the 2026 budget.
The organisation also argued that disclosure would strengthen public confidence in the National Assembly, promote transparency in public finance management and enhance accountability in the appropriation process.
SERAP gave the National Assembly seven days to provide the requested documents, warning that it would institute legal proceedings if the information was withheld.
“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 compliance in the public interest,” the organisation said.
Citing both domestic and international legal frameworks, SERAP argued that the Freedom of Information Act, the Nigerian Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Tshwane Principles on National Security and the Right to Information all support maximum disclosure of information concerning public expenditure, corruption and accountability.
The organisation stressed that public institutions remain accountable to Nigerians and must provide information on matters involving the expenditure of public funds, especially where there are credible allegations of irregularities.
