SERAP Sues INEC Over Alleged ‘Missing ₦55.9bn’ 2019 Election Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to account for a “missing or diverted” ₦55.9 billion meant for election materials during the 2019 general election.

The allegations, drawn from the latest report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on September 9, 2025, were made public by SERAP in a post on its official X handle on Sunday.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, filed last Friday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to explain how the ₦55.9 billion, reportedly allocated for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials was spent.

The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo.

SERAP described the alleged financial discrepancies as “a grave violation of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and international anti-corruption standards.”

The group asked the court to order INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid from the ₦55.9 billion, as well as the identities of their directors and shareholders.

“INEC must operate without corruption if the commission is to ensure free and fair elections in the country and uphold Nigerians’ right to participation,” SERAP said.

The organisation warned that unresolved allegations of financial misconduct could undermine future elections, insisting that those involved including contractors must be prosecuted and any proceeds of corruption recovered.

“INEC cannot properly carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections if it continues to fail to uphold the basic principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” the group added.

“Allegations of corruption in the procurement of election materials directly threaten Nigerians’ right to participate in elections that are free, fair, transparent, and credible.”

According to the Auditor-General’s report, INEC “irregularly paid” over ₦5.3 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 of delivery.

Although INEC reportedly claimed the procurement fell under national security exemptions, the Auditor-General rejected the explanation, describing it as “alien to the Procurement Act,” and insisting that a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP was required. The report expressed concern that the funds “may have been diverted.”

The audit also alleged that INEC paid more than ₦4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentary evidence of supply, approvals, or proof of contractors’ eligibility, including tax and pension clearance certificates.

Further findings showed questionable payments of ₦331 million under “doubtful circumstances,” failure to deduct and remit ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties, and non-retirement of ₦630 million in cash advances to staff. It also accused INEC of awarding contracts exceeding ₦41 billion for election materials without due process or proof of contractors’ competence.

The report further queried an irregular ₦297 million contract for the supply of four Toyota Land Cruisers, stating that market surveys showed the vehicles cost no more than ₦50 million each at the time, even though INEC reportedly paid ₦74 million per unit.

In several instances, the Auditor-General said he was “concerned that the funds may have been diverted” and recommended that the money be recovered and remitted to the treasury.

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.