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 released by the Auditor-General of the Federation on September 9, 2025.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to provide a full account of the ₦55.9 billion earmarked for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials used during the 2019 polls.
SERAP is also seeking a court order directing INEC to publicly disclose the identities of all contractors paid from the funds, along with the names of their directors and shareholders.
According to SERAP, transparency and accountability are essential if INEC is to fulfil its constitutional duty of conducting free and fair elections. The organisation argued that unresolved allegations of corruption undermine the commission’s credibility and its ability to impartially manage future elections.
SERAP further contended that INEC cannot effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities if it continues to disregard principles of accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. The group described the allegations as a serious abuse of public office that highlights the urgent need for clean governance within the electoral body.
The rights group warned that corruption in the procurement of election materials directly threatens Nigerians’ right to participate in credible, transparent, and democratic elections.
The suit was filed on SERAP’s behalf by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo. According to court filings, the allegations represent a serious breach of public trust, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and international anti-corruption standards.
SERAP cited the Auditor-General’s 2022 audited report, which revealed that INEC allegedly made irregular payments exceeding ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers for the 2019 elections. The report noted that the contract was awarded without approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council, and that payments were made without documentation or proof of supply.
INEC reportedly claimed that approval was unnecessary because the procurement fell under national security exemptions in the Procurement Act. However, the Auditor-General rejected this explanation as unfounded, stating that INEC should have obtained a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP. The report expressed concern that the funds may have been diverted and recommended their recovery and remittance to the treasury.
The Auditor-General’s report also revealed that INEC allegedly paid over ₦4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without evidence of advertisement, bidding, evaluation, approval, or proof of delivery, and without the required Certificate of No Objection.
