Lawsuit Seeks Accountability for Alleged Diversion of Funds and Corruption Amidst Nigeria’s Ongoing Power Sector Crisis
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over allegations of mismanagement and failure to account for ₦128 billion of public funds linked to the Ministry of Power. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Case No. FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026), follows revelations from the Auditor-General’s annual report, which uncovered serious discrepancies in the financial handling of the sector.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, expressed concerns over the devastating impact of corruption in the power sector, including the persistent grid collapses affecting millions of Nigerians. The lawsuit comes on the heels of Nigeria’s first power grid collapse of 2026, which left the country in darkness. According to SERAP, these systemic failures are fueled by corruption and lack of accountability within the power sector.
The group is demanding that the Federal High Court compel Adebayo Adelabu and NBET to account for the ₦128 billion in question, which allegedly went missing or was diverted under questionable circumstances. In addition, SERAP seeks the disclosure of the names and official positions of those responsible for the unauthorized release of these funds, calling the situation a violation of public trust and Nigeria’s constitutional and international anti-corruption commitments.
In its statement, SERAP emphasized that the funds in question were meant for critical projects to improve the country’s power infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted electricity for Nigerians. However, the Auditor-General’s 2022 report flagged irregularities, noting that over ₦4.4 billion transferred to project accounts for initiatives like the Mambilla, Zungeru, and Kashimbilla projects had no evidence of expenditure, raising fears of diversion. The report further revealed that over ₦95 billion paid to contractors for unspecified projects also lacked proper documentation and verification, suggesting possible corruption.
The lawsuit highlights the broader issue of Nigeria’s energy crisis, where citizens continue to endure power outages while being burdened with high electricity bills. SERAP argues that holding public officials accountable for the missing funds is essential for restoring public confidence and addressing the persistent inefficiencies plaguing the country’s power sector.
This legal action underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, particularly in critical sectors such as electricity, which has a direct impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians.
