Shola Akinyele
The Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has questioned the management of the commission over an alleged ₦153 million expenditure on an Abuja liaison office, as lawmakers intensify scrutiny of the agency’s financial records and utilization of public funds.
The development emerged during an oversight hearing held on Tuesday, where members of the committee reviewed the commission’s spending since receiving allocations from the 2025 federal budget.
According to lawmakers, approximately ₦16.6 billion had been released to the commission, with about ₦3.6 billion reportedly expended so far. However, senators expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the financial records presented by the agency, citing inadequate documentation and unclear expenditure classifications.
One of the major concerns raised during the session was an expenditure reportedly linked to the commission’s Abuja liaison office, valued at ₦153 million. The revelation immediately drew attention both within and outside the National Assembly, with many Nigerians taking to social media to question the cost amid the country’s prevailing economic challenges.
The committee also reportedly queried an expenditure item described as “implied expenditure” amounting to ₦2.5 billion, demanding further clarification from the commission’s management.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, directed the leadership of the commission, headed by Managing Director Mark Okoye, to submit comprehensive financial records and supporting documents explaining the expenditures under review.
The lawmakers gave the commission one week to provide the requested information and justify the spending entries highlighted during the hearing.
The South East Development Commission was established to accelerate infrastructure development, economic growth, and reconstruction efforts across the South-East region, comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
The commission has previously defended its development agenda and budgetary proposals, arguing that significant investment is required to address decades of infrastructure deficits and unlock the economic potential of the region.
However, the latest Senate probe has renewed public debate over transparency and accountability in government agencies tasked with regional development.
Political observers note that the outcome of the investigation could influence public confidence in the commission as it seeks to implement major projects across the South-East.
The Senate Committee has maintained that all expenditures must be fully accounted for and has pledged continued oversight to ensure prudent management of public resources.
The commission is expected to return before the committee with detailed explanations and supporting documentation in the coming days.
The matter remains under investigation.
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