By Patrick Wemambu
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to account for more than N126.46bn allegedly appropriated for electoral operations, which it claimed was diverted, lost, mismanaged or otherwise unaccounted for.
SERAP is, therefore, seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to disclose details of the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of the funds, which were meant for the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, result sheets, vehicles and accreditation devices, as well as audit and consultancy services.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, according to a statement issued by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday.
However, the organisation said the allegations were contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly disclose detailed information on the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of over N126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations, including the procurement of election materials, equipment, and vehicles.”
The non‑profit organization founded in 2004 to promote transparency, is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to disclose a full financial and documentary account of the over N126 billion appropriated for electoral operations, including amounts released and paid, payment beneficiaries, details of contractors and their beneficial owners.”
SERAP argued that: “Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated.
“These allegations are particularly disturbing given the constitutional importance of INEC and the fact that the expenditure concerns resources appropriated for the administration of Nigeria’s electoral system.
“With the 2027 general elections approaching, transparency and accountability in the management of these funds are essential to safeguarding public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that resources intended to support credible elections are properly utilised.
“These findings by the Auditor-General (of the Federation) suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), national anti-corruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption,” the statement partly read.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
