SERAP Sues INEC to Account for N126bn in Public Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) account for over N126.46 billion in public funds. This amount was flagged in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s report due to alleged procurement irregularities and possible fund diversion.

SERAP seeks a mandamus order for INEC to disclose how these funds, allocated for electoral operations, were spent, including details of payment beneficiaries and contractors. The suit references findings from the Auditor-General’s 2023 report, published on 7 August 2026, which raised concerns about INEC transactions from January to December 2022.

Specific allegations include a N1.05 billion payment for vehicles without proper procurement procedures, N3.13 billion paid for materials before contracts were awarded, and N9.24 billion for similar goods under questionable contract splitting. SERAP also cites inadequate evidence for payments made to accounting firms and concerns over payments for accreditation devices and other contracts.