By Uzair Adam
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to account for N55.9 billion earmarked for election materials used in the 2019 general elections.
The suit follows damning revelations contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which raised concerns that the funds may have been missing or diverted.
In the case 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 how the N55.9 billion was spent.
The money was reportedly meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other sensitive election materials.
SERAP is also urging the court to direct INEC to disclose the identities of all contractors paid from the funds, including details of their directors and shareholders.
According to the organisation, transparency and accountability are essential if INEC is to regain public trust and effectively discharge its constitutional duty of conducting free and fair elections.
SERAP argued that unresolved allegations of corruption would undermine the commission’s ability to administer future elections impartially.
The group further stated that failure to address the issues, prosecute those allegedly involved and recover the funds would amount to a breach of Nigerians’ right to participate in credible elections, adding that the allegations point to abuse of public office and a disregard for the rule of law.
The suit, filed on SERAP’s behalf by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, described the findings of the Auditor-General as a serious violation of public trust, the 1999 Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.
SERAP cited portions of the Auditor-General’s report which alleged that INEC irregularly paid over N5.3 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.
Although INEC reportedly claimed the procurement was exempted on national security grounds, the Auditor-General dismissed the explanation as inconsistent with the Procurement Act.
The report also raised concerns over payments of more than N4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentation, as well as other alleged infractions involving stamp duties, unretired cash advances, questionable contract awards and inflated vehicle purchases.
In several instances, the Auditor-General reportedly expressed concern that public funds “may have been diverted” and recommended their recovery and remittance to the treasury.
No hearing date has been fixed for the suit.