The House of Representatives has summoned the chairmen and finance directors of the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over alleged financial infractions totaling over N100 billion. The Auditor-General’s report revealed widespread cases of unremitted tax and VAT deductions, poor asset management, and unaccounted expenditures across the councils.
The implicated councils are Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. According to the report, the councils recorded outstanding liabilities of N7.65 billion as of December 31, 2021, with Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) accounting for the highest liability of N2.19 billion.
*Alleged Infractions Include:*
– _Understatement of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)_
– _Unauthorised disposal of assets_
– _Non-disclosure of statutory revenue_
– _Failure to remit withholding taxes_
– _Poor maintenance of Fixed Asset Registers_
The House Committee on Public Accounts has given the summoned officials a final opportunity to appear before it on February 11, 2026, to explain themselves. Failure to comply may lead to constitutional powers being invoked, including arrest
The report highlights concerns over the councils’ expenditure of N24.87 billion in 2021, with 37% of funds allocated to capital projects unaccounted for. The Auditor-General has faulted the councils for poor asset management, citing Gwagwalada Area Council’s failure to adequately record non-current assets valued at N336 million
