Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged failure to account for more than N126.46 billion in public funds appropriated for electoral operations.
SERAP, in the suit filed, alleged that the funds were diverted, lost, mismanaged or otherwise unaccounted for.
The organisation said the funds were appropriated for the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive materials and result sheets, vehicles and accreditation devices, as well as audit and consultancy services, digital archiving and other goods and services required for the conduct and administration of elections.
According to SERAP, the allegations were contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026, covering various periods between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extending to December 31, 2023.
It also wants INEC to provide a full financial and documentary account of the funds, including amounts released and paid, payment beneficiaries, details of contractors and their beneficial owners.
The organisation said the allegations were particularly disturbing given the constitutional importance of INEC and the fact that the expenditure concerned resources appropriated for the administration of Nigeria’s electoral system.
It further argued that the Auditor-General’s findings suggested a violation of public trust and provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, national anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, stated that democracy required an informed citizenry and that citizens were entitled to know how resources entrusted to INEC for the conduct of elections had been used.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.