The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over its alleged failure to account for more than 126 billion naira appropriated for electoral operations.
SERAP is asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel INEC to disclose how the funds were spent, following allegations of diversion, mismanagement and irregularities contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the organisation, the Auditor-General’s report, published on August 7, 2026, identified alleged financial infractions relating to expenditures between January and December 2022, with some findings extending to December 31, 2023.
The organisation alleged that INEC irregularly paid more than 112 billion naira for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
SERAP also alleged that INEC spent more than one billion naira on Toyota Prado vehicles without advertisement, competitive bidding or proper evaluation of bids.
The organisation further cited an alleged payment of over three billion naira to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded.
It said the Auditor-General also raised concerns over more than nine billion naira allegedly spent on 22 contracts for similar goods and services, which were reportedly split to circumvent procurement procedures.
Other alleged irregularities include payments of over 129 million naira to 19 accounting firms for audit services without sufficient evidence of utilisation, as well as more than 504 million naira for accreditation devices without due procurement procedures.
SERAP also alleged that over 235 million naira was paid to contractors it described as unqualified for sleeping mats and digital archiving services.
The organisation is asking the court to compel INEC to provide a comprehensive financial and documentary account of the funds, including the amounts released and paid, the beneficiaries, the contractors involved and their beneficial owners.
It argued that the alleged infractions raised concerns about compliance with the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
