The Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has demanded explanations from the commission’s management over the failure to account for over N4 billion in expenditures.
Lawmakers also expressed outrage at the N153 million spent on renting a single-room office in Abuja, describing the sum as scandalous.
SEDC Managing Director Mark Okoye appeared before the committee on Tuesday but could not provide a detailed breakdown of the funds.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who chairs the committee, gave Okoye a one-week ultimatum to present comprehensive documentation, warning that the commission would face sanctions if it fails to comply.
The issue of the N153 million rent drew particular ire, with senators questioning how such an amount could be justified for a one-room space.
The SEDC was allocated N16.6 billion in the 2025 budget, but lawmakers worry that mismanagement may have already eaten deep into the funds meant for the development of the South-East.
