FCT Councils Face Sanctions Over N100bn Audit Issues

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has issued a seven-day summons to officials from the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory due to unresolved audit queries involving approximately N100 billion. This decision came after the chairmen of the councils—Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—failed to appear before the committee on the requested date of September 22, 2026, and did not send representatives.

Consequently, the committee has directed senior administrative and financial officials, including the Directors of Personnel Management and Finance and the Heads of Audit, to appear on October 14, 2026. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, expressed disappointment over the absence of the council chairmen and warned that failure to comply with the summons could lead to sanctions.

The audit report raised concerns about various financial transactions, including an outstanding liability of about N7.65 billion related to unremitted pension deductions and unpaid obligations to contractors.