The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has threatened sanctions against officials of the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory following their failure to appear before lawmakers over audit queries involving nearly N100 billion.
The council chairmen had earlier requested September 22, 2026, as a suitable date to respond to issues raised in audit reports. However, they neither attended the hearing nor sent representatives, prompting lawmakers to issue what they described as a final summons.
Chairman of the committee, Bamidele Salam, disclosed that Directors of Personnel Management, Directors of Finance and Heads of Audit of the affected councils have now been directed to appear before the committee on October 14 or face disciplinary measures in line with relevant public service regulations.
The audit concerns are contained in the Auditor-General’s report on the six FCT Area Councils for the financial year ending December 31, 2021. The councils involved are Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
According to the report, the councils accumulated outstanding liabilities estimated at N7.65 billion. The liabilities include unremitted pension deductions, Pay As You Earn taxes, Value Added Tax, withholding tax obligations and debts owed to contractors.
A breakdown of the figures showed that AMAC accounted for the highest amount at N2.19 billion, followed by Bwari with N1.49 billion, Kwali with N1.46 billion, Gwagwalada with N1.01 billion, Kuje with N892.2 million and Abaji with N593.8 million.
The Auditor-General also raised concerns over poor record-keeping practices, particularly regarding fixed assets owned by the councils. In Gwagwalada Area Council, assets valued at N336 million were reportedly not properly documented, while similar lapses were identified in other councils.
Lawmakers are equally seeking clarification on N24.87 billion spent on personnel costs, overheads and capital projects during the 2021 fiscal year. The committee has requested detailed supporting documents, especially regarding capital expenditure.
Salam noted that repeated invitations and requests for documents had been ignored by the councils. He further revealed that issues identified in the 2022 and part of the 2023 audit reports include alleged understatement of internally generated revenue, non-remittance of withholding tax, unauthorised disposal of government assets and failure to disclose statutory revenues.
The committee also expressed concern that the councils have yet to submit audited accounts for 2023, 2024 and 2025 as required by law.
He stressed that public funds must be managed responsibly and warned that officials found culpable would be held accountable in accordance with existing laws.
