The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to account for ₦55.9 billion reportedly missing or diverted from funds allocated for the 2019 general elections.
The allegations are contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on 9 September 2025, which raised concerns over the utilisation of public funds earmarked for election materials.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to account for the ₦55.9 billion allocated for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials used in the 2019 polls.
The organisation is also asking the court to direct INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid from the funds, including details of their directors and shareholders, in line with transparency and accountability requirements.
SERAP said INEC must operate free from corruption to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate of conducting free and fair elections and to uphold Nigerians’ right to political participation.
According to the group, INEC’s ability to impartially administer future elections would be undermined if the allegations are not satisfactorily addressed, those responsible—including contractors—are not prosecuted, and the proceeds of any corruption are not fully recovered.
SERAP further argued that continued failure by the electoral body to uphold transparency, accountability and the rule of law would impair its capacity to carry out its statutory responsibilities.
The organisation described the allegations as an abuse of public office and called on INEC to demonstrate an urgent commitment to clean governance, openness and adherence to the rule of law.
