SERAP’s lawsuit demanding transparency over ₦55.9bn election funds revives debate on INEC accountability and its impact on credible elections in Nigeria.
Fresh questions have emerged over the management of public funds allocated for Nigeria’s 2019 general elections following a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The civil society organisation is asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the electoral body to account for ₦55.9 billion allegedly unaccounted for in the procurement of election materials.
The legal action, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, was instituted last Friday and is rooted in findings from the latest report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was officially released on September 9, 2025.
SERAP made the lawsuit public through a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, sparking renewed public debate about transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system.
At the heart of the suit is SERAP’s demand for INEC accountability, particularly in relation to funds appropriated for critical election materials such as smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other logistics required for nationwide polls.
According to the organisation, the scale of the alleged financial irregularities raises serious concerns about compliance with the law and the integrity of election administration in the country.
SERAP’s legal team, made up of Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to publicly explain how the ₦55.9 billion was spent.
The group insists that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know how public resources meant to safeguard democracy were utilised.
Beyond explanations, SERAP is also seeking an order directing INEC to disclose the names of contractors who received payments from the disputed funds.
This includes demanding transparency around the identities of company directors and shareholders, a move the organisation says is necessary to trace responsibility and prevent future abuses.
Describing the situation as a serious breach of public trust, SERAP argued that unresolved allegations of corruption undermine both domestic laws and Nigeria’s international commitments to fight financial crimes.
The group maintained that INEC accountability is central to restoring public confidence in elections, especially as the country looks ahead to future electoral cycles.
The organisation further warned that failure to address the audit queries could weaken the credibility of upcoming elections.
According to SERAP, allegations of financial misconduct in election logistics are not merely administrative issues but fundamental threats to citizens’ right to participate in free, fair, and credible polls.
Findings from the Auditor-General’s report paint a troubling picture. One of the most significant queries relates to the alleged irregular payment of over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers.
The report stated that the payment was made without approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council and without evidence that the equipment was actually delivered.
INEC reportedly defended the procurement by claiming it fell under national security exemptions. However, the Auditor-General rejected this explanation, describing it as inconsistent with the Procurement Act.
The audit emphasised that a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP was mandatory and expressed concern that the funds involved may have been diverted.
The report also highlighted payments exceeding ₦4.5 billion made to six contractors for the supply of ballot papers and result sheets.
According to the audit, these payments lacked supporting documents, including proof of supply, procurement approvals, and evidence that the contractors met basic eligibility requirements such as tax and pension compliance.
Additional financial issues raised by the Auditor-General included questionable payments amounting to ₦331 million, the failure to deduct and remit ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties, and the non-retirement of ₦630 million in cash advances reportedly given to INEC staff.
These lapses, the report noted, reflect systemic weaknesses in financial controls.
Another major concern involved contracts worth more than ₦41 billion awarded for election materials without due process or proof of contractors’ competence.
The audit suggested that such practices not only violate procurement laws but also expose public funds to abuse.
One particularly striking query related to a ₦297 million contract for the supply of four Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles.
According to the Auditor-General, market surveys conducted at the time showed that each vehicle cost no more than ₦50 million, yet INEC allegedly paid ₦74 million per unit. The discrepancy raised red flags about value for money and procurement integrity.
In several sections of the report, the Auditor-General explicitly stated concerns that public funds “may have been diverted” and recommended that the affected amounts be recovered and remitted to the treasury.
These recommendations form a key basis for SERAP’s insistence on judicial intervention.
SERAP argued that without INEC accountability, the electoral body cannot effectively discharge its constitutional responsibility to conduct credible elections.
The organisation stressed that transparency and adherence to the rule of law are not optional but essential pillars of democratic governance.
The group also called for the prosecution of any individuals or entities found culpable, including contractors who may have benefited from irregular payments.
According to SERAP, accountability must extend beyond institutional explanations to personal responsibility if corruption is to be deterred.
As public reactions continue to trail the lawsuit, governance analysts say the case could become a defining moment for INEC accountability and broader electoral reforms.
They argue that how the matter is handled may influence public trust in electoral institutions ahead of future national polls.
For now, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case at the Federal High Court.
However, the lawsuit has already reignited conversations about financial transparency, the role of oversight institutions, and the need to strengthen safeguards around election funding.
As Nigerians await the court’s response, the spotlight remains firmly on INEC accountability and whether the legal process will lead to greater openness in how elections are funded and managed in the country.
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