The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not accounting for over ₦126.46 billion in public funds meant for electoral operations. SERAP claims this money was either diverted, lost, mismanaged, or not accounted for at all.
These funds were supposed to purchase ballot boxes, election equipment, sensitive materials, result sheets, vehicles, and accreditation tools. The money was also meant to cover audit and consultancy services, digital archiving, and other necessary goods and services for running elections.
The Auditor-General of the Federation released a report on 7 August 2026, which showed that the allegations relate to periods between January and December 2022. Some issues even go as far as 31 December 2023.
In the lawsuit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to order INEC to quickly share detailed information about how the ₦126.46 billion was spent. This includes the procurement of election materials, equipment, and vehicles.
SERAP also wants an order to compel INEC to provide a full financial and documentary account of the funds, including how much was paid out, who benefited from the payments, and details of the contractors involved.
SERAP argues that electoral funds are public money. INEC must show how every naira was spent and prove it was used for the intended purposes. They say, "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."
They also say that the allegations are very serious given INEC's role in Nigeria's electoral system. SERAP highlights that with the 2027 general elections coming up, transparency and accountability in managing these funds are vital to maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
SERAP claims that the Auditor-General's findings expose a serious breach of public trust and violate Nigerian laws and the country's obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption. They stress that this situation cannot be ignored.
The lawsuit, filed by SERAP's lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, states, "Democracy requires an informed citizenry. That principle is directly relevant to public expenditure by an electoral management body: citizens are entitled to know how resources entrusted to INEC for the conduct of elections have been used."
The Auditor-General reported that INEC made irregular payments of over ₦112 billion for ballot boxes and election materials without proper bidding or a BPP Certificate of No Objection. The report said there was no evidence that the items were actually procured.
The Auditor-General raised concerns that contracts were awarded to unknown companies, and he suspected that the money might have been misused. He wants the funds recovered.
INEC also reportedly paid over ₦1 billion for a Toyota Prado TXL 2021 model without proper advertisement or bidding. The Auditor-General is worried that the money could have been lost and that the contracts might have been inflated.
INEC paid over ₦3 billion to four contractors for ballot guides and sensitive materials before the contracts were awarded. The Auditor-General found no proof of payment and is concerned the money may have been diverted.
INEC also paid over ₦9 billion for 22 contracts for similar goods and services, splitting contracts to bypass procurement rules. The Auditor-General stated that this money may also have been lost and that payments might have been made for items that were never delivered.
Additionally, INEC paid over ₦129 million to 19 accounting firms for audit services without proof of how the money was used. The Auditor-General wants this money recovered too.
INEC reportedly spent over ₦504 million for accreditation devices without following proper procurement processes. The Auditor-General flagged issues with the delivery of the software, questioning the value for money.
INEC also paid over ₦235 million to unqualified contractors for sleeping mats and digital archiving, raising serious doubts about the contractors' abilities and suggesting that money may have been lost.
INEC must provide proof that the over ₦112 billion identified as irregularly paid was actually used for the electoral materials and show where those materials are now.
Nigerians deserve to know what their public institutions like INEC do with public funds. INEC should ensure that no electoral equipment or public assets mentioned in the Auditor-General's findings are disposed of or handled in ways that prevent transparency.
The names of contractors and officials involved in these transactions should be made public. Nigerians have the right to know whether the services promised were actually delivered and if payments were made correctly.
SERAP points out that the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions like INEC to eliminate corrupt practices. The Constitution also mandates INEC to observe and apply constitutional provisions.
Nigeria must follow its commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption by adopting anti-corruption policies and ensuring transparent public procurement.
Nigerians' rights to participate in public affairs are protected under international treaties to which Nigeria is a party.
No date has been set for the lawsuit hearing.
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