The six Area Council Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory have again failed to appear before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee to answer questions over alleged financial infractions totalling about *N100 billion*.
The chairmen had requested *September 22, 2026*, as the date for their appearance before the committee but failed to attend or send representatives, prompting anger from lawmakers.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, *Hon. Bamidele Salam*, said the councils had repeatedly failed to honour invitations or submit documents required to resolve the audit queries.
“The last date of appearance of the Abuja Area Councils was September 22, 2026, which was a date they requested and which was graciously granted by the committee. Yet, they failed to appear or send in any representation,” Salam said.
Final 7-Day Ultimatum
The committee has now issued a *seven-day final summons* to the Directors of Personnel Management (DPM) and Finance, as well as Heads of Audit of the six councils, directing them to appear before it on *October 14, 2026*, or face sanctions in accordance with the relevant service rules.
“The committee has therefore decided to issue summons to the Directors of Personnel Management and Finance of these local governments, including their Heads of Audit, to appear without fail on Wednesday, October 14, failure of which they will be made to bear consequences according to service rules.”
The affected councils are *Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.*
N7.65bn Unremitted Liabilities Exposed
The audit queries are contained in the *Annual Audit Report of the Auditor-General* for the Six FCT Area Councils for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The report identified outstanding liabilities of about *N7.65bn* arising from unremitted pension deductions, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT) and withholding tax, as well as unpaid obligations to contractors.
A breakdown showed:
– *AMAC:* N2.19bn
– *Bwari:* N1.49bn
– *Kwali:* N1.46bn
– *Gwagwalada:* N1.01bn
– *Kuje:* N892.2m
– *Abaji:* N593.8m
The liabilities were due for remittance to the Nigeria Revenue Service, FCT Inland Revenue Service, Pension Fund Administrators and contractors.
The Auditor-General also faulted the councils for failing to properly maintain and update their fixed asset registers. The report specifically cited *Gwagwalada Area Council*, where non-current assets valued at *N336m* were allegedly not properly recorded.
N24.87bn Personnel and Capital Expenditure Queried
The audit report also raised questions over *N24.87bn* spent by the six councils on personnel, overheads and capital expenditure in 2021. AMAC spent N5.03bn, Gwagwalada N4.66bn, Kuje N3.85bn, Kwali N3.84bn, Bwari N3.74bn and Abaji N3.71bn.
The committee is seeking explanations and supporting documents for the expenditure, particularly the capital component.
Salam further disclosed that the councils had failed to audit and submit their financial accounts for *2023, 2024 and 2025*, contrary to statutory requirements, while 2022 and part of 2023 reports show alleged understatement of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), unauthorised disposal of assets and non-remittance of withholding tax.
He warned that public funds must be managed with transparency and that officials found culpable would be held accountable under the law.
