The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, searching for an evidence from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the administration of greater than ₦126.46 billion allotted for electoral actions.
The lawsuit follows issues raised within the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, printed on August 7, 2026, which examined authorities expenditure for various durations, together with transactions between January and December 2022 and a few extending to December 31, 2023.
SERAP desires the court to compel INEC to disclose how the cash was spent and supply supporting monetary data exhibiting the quantities acquired and disbursed, the recipients of funds, the contractors concerned and their helpful house owners.
The organisation mentioned the funds had been earmarked for a number of election-related bills, together with poll containers, voting gear, delicate election supplies, end result sheets, autos, voter accreditation units, audit and consultancy providers, digital archiving and different operational necessities.
In its court motion, SERAP alleged that the audit findings raised questions on whether or not among the funds had been diverted, mismanaged, misplaced or left with out correct accounting. The allegations haven’t been established by a court.
The organisation argued that Nigerians ought to give you the chance to scrutinise the expenditure as a result of the funds had been supposed to help the administration of elections, a constitutional accountability central to the nation’s democratic course of.
It additional contended that the problems recognized within the audit report may increase questions on compliance with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, related anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s commitments beneath the United Nations Convention towards Corruption.
SERAP’s authorized staff, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, filed the swimsuit on the organisation’s behalf.
The organisation maintained that public entry to details about electoral spending was important to democratic accountability, arguing that residents have a proper to understand how cash allotted to INEC was utilised. However, the Federal High Court has but to schedule a listening to for the case.
