The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to properly account for ₦55.9 billion earmarked for election materials during the 2019 general elections.
The allegations are based on findings contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025. SERAP disclosed details of the report in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.
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 provide a full account of the funds allegedly meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other critical election materials.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its legal team, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo. The organisation described the Auditor-General’s findings as a “grave violation of public trust,” as well as a breach of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and international anti-corruption standards.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
SERAP argued that transparency and accountability in the management of public funds are essential to guaranteeing credible elections. It urged the court to compel INEC to disclose the identities of all contractors paid from the ₦55.9 billion, including the names of their directors and shareholders.
“INEC must operate free from corruption if it is to fulfil its constitutional duty of conducting free and fair elections and uphold Nigerians’ right to political participation,” the organisation said.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
SERAP further warned that unresolved allegations of financial misconduct could undermine public confidence in future elections, insisting that all those found culpable — including contractors allegedly involved — must be prosecuted and that any proceeds of corruption be fully recovered.
“INEC cannot effectively discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities if it continues to disregard the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” SERAP stated.
Details From Auditor-General’s Report
According to the Auditor-General’s report, INEC allegedly made an “irregular payment” of over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers without approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council, and without evidence that the items were supplied.
While INEC reportedly claimed the procurement fell under national security exemptions, the Auditor-General rejected the justification as “alien to the Procurement Act,” insisting that a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP was required. The report warned that the funds “may have been diverted.”
The audit also alleged that INEC paid more than ₦4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentary evidence of supply, due approvals, or proof of contractors’ eligibility, including tax and pension clearance certificates.
Additional findings cited questionable payments of over ₦331 million under “doubtful circumstances,” failure to deduct and remit more than ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties, non-retirement of over ₦630 million in staff cash advances, and the award of contracts exceeding ₦41 billion without due process or proof of contractors’ technical competence.
The Auditor-General further queried the award of a ₦297 million contract for the supply of four Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles. Market surveys reportedly showed that the vehicles did not exceed ₦50 million each at the time, despite INEC’s claim that it paid ₦74 million per unit.
In several instances, the Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds involved “may have been diverted” and recommended that the money be recovered and remitted to the federal treasury.
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