SERAP Sues INEC Over N126bn Electoral Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to account for greater than N126.46bn appropriated for electoral operations, following allegations of irregular funds, attainable diversion of funds and procurement violations.

The go well with, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, was filed final week on the Federal High Court in Abuja, with SERAP looking for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to reveal particulars of the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of the funds.

According to SERAP, the funds had been allotted for the procurement of poll bins, electoral gadgets and supplies, delicate supplies, outcome sheets, automobiles and accreditation gadgets, in addition to audit and consultancy companies, digital archiving and different items and companies required for elections.

The allegations are contained within the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, revealed on August 7, 2026. The findings cowl transactions between January and December 2022, with some extending to December 31, 2023.

SERAP can be asking the court docket to compel INEC to offer a complete monetary and documentary account of the funds, together with quantities launched and paid, fee beneficiaries, contractors and their useful house owners.

The organisation mentioned the Auditor-General’s report raised considerations over a number of transactions involving billions of naira.

According to the report cited by SERAP, INEC allegedly paid N112.16bn for poll bins, electoral gadgets and different supplies with out aggressive bidding or a Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

SERAP mentioned the Auditor-General discovered no proof that the gadgets had been procured and raised considerations that the contracts had been awarded to firms whose competence, expertise, capability, addresses and manufacturing facility places had been unknown.

The Auditor-General reportedly warned that the funds might need been diverted and really useful their restoration.

The report additionally flagged an alleged fee of N1.06bn for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 mannequin automobiles with out commercial, aggressive bidding, bid analysis or a BPP Certificate of No Objection. The Auditor-General reportedly expressed concern that the cash might need been misplaced and the contracts inflated.

Another N3.14bn was allegedly paid to 4 contractors for poll guides, delicate supplies and outcome sheets earlier than the contracts had been awarded, with no proof of fee, in response to the findings cited by SERAP.

The report additional recognized N9.25bn allegedly paid beneath 22 contracts for comparable items and companies, which had been reportedly cut up to bypass procurement procedures and awarded on the identical day.

Other flagged transactions included N129.38m paid to 19 accounting corporations for monetary audit companies with out proof of utilisation or requests and expenditure by the consultants.

INEC additionally allegedly paid N504.49m for accreditation gadgets with out following due procurement procedures. The Auditor-General reportedly famous that the APG had expired earlier than the safety licence key was delivered and that the software program was legitimate for less than 4 months, elevating considerations about worth for cash.

The report additionally flagged N235.10m allegedly paid to unqualified contractors for sleeping mats and digital archiving, with considerations raised concerning the contractors’ eligibility and capability.

SERAP argued that INEC ought to present documentary and bodily proof displaying that the N112bn recognized as irregularly paid was used to obtain the electoral supplies involved. It additionally needs the fee to account for the current location and standing of the supplies.

The organisation additional urged the court docket to direct INEC to protect all electoral tools, supplies and different public property coated by the Auditor-General’s findings to stop their disposal, switch, destruction or write-off in ways in which might frustrate accountability.

It additionally known as for the publication of the names of contractors, suppliers and consultants who allegedly acquired the funds irregularly, alongside any INEC officers or different public officers who authorised, processed, facilitated or benefited from the transactions.

SERAP mentioned public entry to details about the expenditure was important to making sure that contracted items and companies had been provided, funds mirrored precise deliveries and contracts weren’t intentionally cut up to evade procurement necessities.

The organisation argued that the allegations raised considerations about compliance with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, nationwide anti-corruption legal guidelines and Nigeria’s obligations beneath the United Nations Convention towards Corruption.

It additionally cited constitutional provisions requiring public establishments to fight corruption and abuse of energy, alongside worldwide and regional devices defending residents’ participation in public affairs.

SERAP’s attorneys, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, filed the go well with on its behalf.

The organisation mentioned transparency within the administration of electoral funds was significantly essential as Nigeria approaches the 2027 normal elections, including that accountability was essential to maintain public confidence within the electoral course of.

No date has been mounted for the listening to of the go well with.