The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sued state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over their alleged failure to account for billions of naira spent as security votes since May 29, 2023.
Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Oluwadare stated that the suit was prompted by persistent insecurity across several states and the FCT, including mass killings in Benue State and other violent incidents nationwide, despite huge public funds allocated yearly as security vote.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/95/2026, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to compel the governors and the FCT minister to publicly disclose details of how security votes collected since May 29, 2023 have been spent.
The rights group is also seeking an order directing them to provide detailed reports on the allocation, utilisation, implementation status and completion of projects funded with security votes, as well as any plans to improve security infrastructure in their states and the FCT.
It said over N400 billion is budgeted annually as security vote across the country, while at least 10 governors reportedly earmarked about N140 billion for the same purpose in the 2026 budget year.
According to SERAP, Nigerians have a right to know how public funds meant to protect lives and property are being utilised.
“Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds, including security votes meant to ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians, are spent by the governors and the FCT minister,” the organisation said.
It warned that escalating insecurity was taking a heavy toll on vulnerable Nigerians, worsening poverty, hunger and human rights abuses.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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