The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to account for greater than ₦126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations. In a press release printed on its web site, SERAP stated it filed the go well with, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, on the Federal High Court……
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to account for greater than ₦126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations.
In a press release printed on its web site, SERAP stated it filed the go well with, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, on the Federal High Court in Abuja final week, in search of an order compelling INEC to reveal particulars of the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of the funds.
The organisation stated the cash was meant for the procurement of poll containers, electoral units, delicate supplies, consequence sheets, autos and accreditation units, in addition to audit and consultancy providers, digital archiving and different gadgets required for election administration.
According to SERAP, the allegations had been contained within the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, printed on August 7, 2026, and coated transactions between January and December 2022, with some extending to December 31, 2023.
SERAP is asking the court docket to compel INEC to supply a complete monetary and documentary account of the funds, together with quantities launched and paid, fee beneficiaries, contractors and their helpful homeowners.
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In its go well with, the organisation stated, “Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated.”
It added that the allegations had been significantly regarding given the fee’s constitutional tasks and the truth that the expenditure concerned public funds supposed for managing the nation’s electoral system.
“With the 2027 general elections approaching, transparency and accountability in the management of these funds are essential to safeguarding public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that resources intended to support credible elections are properly utilised,” SERAP stated.
The organisation stated the Auditor-General’s findings urged potential violations of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, nationwide anti-corruption legal guidelines and Nigeria’s obligations beneath the United Nations Convention towards Corruption.
Citing the audit report, SERAP alleged that INEC “irregularly paid” greater than ₦112.15 billion for poll containers, electoral units and different supplies with out aggressive bidding or a Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
“The Auditor-General found ‘no evidence that the items were procured.’ The ‘contracts were awarded to companies whose competences, experience, capacities, addresses and factory locations were unknown.’ He is concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered,” the go well with acknowledged.
SERAP additionally cited an alleged fee of greater than ₦1.05 billion for Toyota Prado TXL 2021-model autos with out commercial, aggressive bidding, bid analysis or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.
According to the go well with, the Auditor-General raised considerations that the funds “may have been lost” and that the contracts “may have been inflated.”
The organisation additional alleged that greater than ₦3.13 billion was paid to 4 contractors for poll guides, delicate supplies and consequence sheets earlier than the contracts had been awarded, with no proof of fee.
It stated the Auditor-General was involved that the cash “may have been diverted” and known as for its restoration and remittance to the treasury.
SERAP additionally alleged that greater than ₦9.24 billion was paid for 22 contracts masking related items and providers, with the contracts allegedly cut up to avoid procurement procedures and awarded on the identical day.
“The Auditor-General said the money ‘may have been lost’ and that ‘the payment may have been made for items not supplied,’” the go well with acknowledged.
Other transactions highlighted by SERAP included an alleged fee of ₦129.37 million to 19 accounting corporations for monetary audit providers with out proof of utilisation or expenditure by the consultants.
The organisation additionally cited an alleged fee of ₦504.49 million for accreditation units with out due procurement procedures, noting that the audit report raised considerations over the timing of the safety licence key and the software program’s validity.
It additional alleged that ₦235.1 million was paid to contractors described as unqualified for sleeping mats and digital archiving, with the Auditor-General elevating considerations about their eligibility and capability.
SERAP is asking the court docket to compel INEC to supply documentary and bodily proof that the supplies coated by the audit findings had been procured and to account for his or her current location and standing.
The organisation additionally desires the fee directed to make sure that no electoral tools, supplies or public belongings coated by the findings are disposed of, transferred, destroyed, written off or in any other case dealt with in a means that would frustrate transparency and accountability.
It additional known as for the publication of the names of contractors, suppliers and consultants who allegedly acquired the funds irregularly, alongside any public officers who authorised, processed, facilitated or benefited from the transactions.
“Nigerians have a right to know every public act, everything that is done in the public interest, by their public institutions including INEC,” SERAP stated.
The organisation’s attorneys, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, filed the go well with on its behalf.
SERAP additionally cited Section 15(5) of the Constitution, which requires public establishments to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of energy, and Section 13, which units out tasks for public authorities to watch and apply the provisions of Chapter Two.
It additional referenced Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which defend residents’ rights to take part in public affairs.
No date has been fastened for the listening to of the go well with.
