SERAP Drags INEC to Court Over ₦126 Billion Electoral Fund Discrepancy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently facing legal action from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) regarding its inability to provide a proper account of over ₦126.46 billion. These funds, originally allocated for various electoral activities, are alleged by SERAP to have been either diverted, lost, mismanaged, or simply remain unaccounted for.

In its suit, SERAP is requesting a court order, specifically an order of mandamus, to compel INEC to release comprehensive details concerning how these substantial funds were expended, utilised, and disbursed. The monies were earmarked for critical electoral items such as ballot boxes, various election devices and materials, result sheets, operational vehicles, accreditation equipment, and even audit and consultancy services.

This legal challenge, referenced as FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, was lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja just last week. This information was confirmed in a statement released on Sunday by Kolawole Oluwadare, who serves as SERAP’s Deputy Director. As of now, a specific date for the hearing of this suit has not been scheduled.

SERAP clarified that the basis for these allegations stems from findings detailed in the 2023 audited report compiled by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which became public on August 7, 2026. The reported financial irregularities primarily occurred between January and December 2022, with some instances stretching into December 31, 2023.

Through its legal team comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP is pressing for “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly disclose detailed information on the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of over ₦126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations, including the procurement of election materials, equipment, and vehicles.”

Furthermore, the organisation is requesting “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to disclose a full financial and documentary account of the over ₦126 billion appropriated for electoral operations, including amounts released and paid, payment beneficiaries, details of contractors and their beneficial owners.”

SERAP emphasized its position by stating 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.” The group highlighted the particularly troubling nature of these allegations, considering INEC's crucial constitutional role and the fact that the funds in question are meant for managing Nigeria's electoral system.

The statement continued, “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.”

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s revelations point towards “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.”

Concluding its argument, SERAP asserted, “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 lawsuit further details specific instances of alleged financial misconduct. The Auditor-General’s report indicated that INEC made “irregularly paid” sums exceeding ₦112 billion (specifically ₦112,155,597,845.00) for various electoral items, including ballot boxes and other materials. These payments reportedly occurred “without competitive bidding or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.” The report explicitly stated that there was “no evidence that the items were procured,” and that “contracts were awarded to companies whose competences, experience, capacities, addresses and factory locations were unknown.” The Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds “may have been diverted” and recommended their recovery.

Another allegation in the suit claims that INEC “paid over ₦1 billion [₦1,058,925,000.00] for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 Model without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.” The Auditor-General, in this instance, suggested that the money “may have been lost” and that the associated contracts “may have been inflated.”

Regarding payments for electoral materials, SERAP pointed out that INEC allegedly “paid over ₦3 billion [₦3,136,806,050.00] to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded, with no evidence of payment.” The Auditor-General raised concerns that this money “may have been diverted” and called for its recovery and remittance to the national treasury.

Additionally, SERAP accused INEC of “paid over ₦9 billion [₦9,245,965,502.60] for 22 contracts for similar goods and services,” noting that these contracts were “split to circumvent procurement procedures and awarded on the same day.” The Auditor-General's report, cited by SERAP, indicated that these funds “may have been lost” and suggested that “the payment may have been made for items not supplied.”

Finally, concerning payments made to accounting firms, SERAP highlighted that INEC reportedly “paid over ₦129 million [₦129,375,000.00] to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without evidence of utilisation or requests and expenditure by the commission.”