SERAP Takes INEC to Court Over Missing N55.9bn Election Funds Accountability

Table of Contents

1. Lawsuit Filed by SERAP
2. Serious Allegations Documented
3. SERAP's Demands
4. Concerns Over Corruption
5. Legal Representation
6. Details from the Audit Report

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated a legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to its failure to explain the disappearance or misappropriation of N55.9 billion intended for the acquisition of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other electoral materials for the 2019 general elections.

The serious allegations are detailed in the most recent annual report released by the Auditor-General on September 9, 2025.

In the lawsuit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is requesting: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to account for the missing or diverted N55.9 billion designated for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.”

SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to reveal the identities of all contractors who received the N55.9 billion for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections, including the names of their directors and shareholders.”

In its argument, SERAP contends that: “INEC must function without corruption if it is to guarantee free and fair elections in the country and uphold Nigerians’ right to participate.”

SERAP further asserts that, “INEC cannot ensure the impartial administration of future elections if these allegations are not adequately addressed, perpetrators including the involved contractors are not prosecuted, and the proceeds of corruption are not fully recovered.”

According to SERAP, “INEC cannot effectively fulfill its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections in the country if it continues to neglect the fundamental principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.”

SERAP also argues that, “These allegations represent an abuse of public office and highlight the urgent necessity for INEC to commit to transparency, accountability, ethical governance, and the rule of law.”

SERAP emphasized, “Claims of corruption in the provision of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials substantially undermine Nigerians’ right to participate in elections that are free, fair, transparent, and credible.”

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its attorneys Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, states in part: “These alarming allegations by the Auditor-General indicate a severe breach of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], and international anti-corruption standards.”

“According to the recently published 2022 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ‘irregularly paid’ over N5.3 billion [N5,312,238,499.39] ‘to a contractor for the supply of Smart Card Readers for the 2019 general elections’.

“The contract was awarded without prior approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council. The payment was also ‘made without any documentation. There was no evidence of supplies to the commission.’”

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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