Group Sues Power Minister, NBET Over Alleged Missing N128bn

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to direct and compel the minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) to account for alleged missing N128 billion public funds.

SERAP also sought an order of mandamus directing and compelling Adelabu and NBET to disclose how the funds were spent, including the dates of disbursement, the purported beneficiaries or contractors who received the funds, and their registered business names and addresses.

The organisation, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, which has not yet been assigned to a judge, also requested the court to issue a mandamus order requiring Adelabu and NBET to reveal the full names, official titles, and offices of all public officers involved in authorising, approving, or otherwise participating in the release of the missing or diverted N128 billion in the Ministry of Power and NBET.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, SERAP averred that Nigerians continue to pay the price for the widespread and grand corruption in the power sector. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations.”

The plaintiff also argued that granting the reliefs would help combat corruption in the power sector, address ongoing transmission line failures, and improve Nigerians’ access to consistent, reliable electricity. Additionally.

The civil society organisation further claimed that ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer from corruption in the sector, remaining in darkness while facing exorbitant bills.

The plaintiff stated that the recent 2022 audited reports by the Auditor-General of the Federation reveal that the Federal Ministry of Power failed to account for over N4.4 billion [N4, 404, 647, 938]. 53 transferred to project accounts for Mambilla, Zungeru, and Kashimbilla.

It is alleged that “There is no evidence of how these funds were spent. The Auditor-General fears they may have been diverted and urges that the money be recovered and returned to the treasury.

“The Ministry also paid more than N 95 billion [N 95, 415, 183, 701. 83] to contractors for various projects, but no documentation or evidence exists to confirm project existence or completion.

“The Auditor-General suspects the funds were diverted and calls for their recovery. “Over N 33 million [n 33, 557, 959. 00] was spent on foreign travel without approval.

“This included costs for estacode, flight tickets, visa fees, and allowances for attending events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These travels were not approved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or the Head of Civil Service, raising concerns about diversion of funds and the need for recovery.

“The Ministry did not account for over N230 million (N230, 795, 255.27) spent on the GIGMIS platform, raising fears that the money was diverted, and calling for its recovery.

“Additionally, more than N282 million (N282, 672, 576. 53] was paid as non-personal advances to staff for goods and services, exceeding the statutory limit of N 200 000. The Auditor-General fears these payments may have been diverted and urges recovery.

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution assigns the Ministry of Power and NBET the duty to adhere to and enforce the provisions of Chapter 2. Additionally, Section 15(5) mandates that both bodies eliminate all forms of corruption and abuse of authority.

“The UN Convention against Corruption’s Article 26, ratified by Nigeria, requires the ministry and NBET to implement ‘effective, proportionate, and dissuasive sanctions’ for cases of grand corruption.

“This article further complements the broader requirement in article 30, paragraph 1, that sanctions should reflect the severity of the corruption allegations.” As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the matter.