Reps Committee Probes FCT Councils Over ₦100bn Audit Breach

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned the chairmen of the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following an audit report indicting them for financial irregularities exceeding ₦100 billion.

The affected councils—Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali—were cited in the Auditor-General’s report for the year ending December 31, 2021. The report highlighted unremitted taxes, failure to update fixed asset registers, and unaccounted expenditures.

According to the audit, the councils collectively owed ₦7.65 billion in liabilities, including unpaid pensions, Pay-As-You-Earn deductions, VAT, and withholding taxes due to various government agencies and contractors. Abuja Municipal Area Council topped the list with ₦2.19 billion in outstanding obligations.

The report also flagged Gwagwalada Area Council for failing to maintain non-current assets worth ₦336 million, raising concerns about potential asset losses.

In 2021, the councils spent ₦24.87 billion on personnel, overheads, and capital projects, yet 37% of capital expenditure remains unaccounted for. The report noted an 89% increase in total spending compared to 2020.

Further infractions were identified in 2022 and 2023, including understated internally generated revenue, unauthorized asset disposals, and non-disclosure of statutory income.

PAC Chairman, Hon. Bamidele Salam, confirmed the committee had issued final summons to the council chairmen and their finance directors to appear on February 11, 2026. He warned that failure to comply would result in enforcement actions under the committee’s constitutional powers.

Salam also criticized the councils for failing to audit and submit financial statements for 2023, 2024, and 2025, in violation of statutory requirements. He emphasized that public funds must be managed transparently and warned that officials found culpable would face legal consequences.

The PAC’s summons is part of its constitutional mandate to review audited accounts, recover misappropriated funds, and enforce financial accountability across public institutions.