Senate Orders SEDC to Explain N3.6bn Spending, Questions N153m Office Rent

The Nigerian Senate has ordered the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to provide detailed documentation accounting for N3.6 billion in spending from its 2025 budget allocation. The commission, headed by Managing Director Mark Okoy, appeared before the Senate committee overseeing the southeastern region to defend its financial management.

The deadline for submission of comprehensive records is June 23. Senate committee chair Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, raised serious objections to several line items in the commission's financial statements.

Among the disputed expenses is a N153 million payment for rental of a single office room serving as a liaison office in Abuja. Additional scrutiny was directed at N2.5 billion in expenditures classified as operational costs, which lawmakers described as lacking clear justification.

The SEDC received N16.6 billion in budgetary releases during December 2025, according to records obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The commission's leadership indicated that between N11.5 billion and N12 billion remained in the agency's account, suggesting N4 billion to N3.6 billion had already been spent on various activities.

Okoy attended the hearing alongside Sylvester Okonkwo, former chief of staff to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and attempted to justify the commission's financial activities based on approved budget documents. Kalu rejected the explanations provided and insisted on obtaining detailed breakdowns of all expenditures.

He stated that the committee would not overlook irregular spending regardless of circumstances, emphasizing the Senate's constitutional duty to exercise oversight. The lawmaker demanded the commission disclose the exact balance in its account and provide clarification on how released funds were utilized.