By Francis Ajuonuma
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 ₦55.9 billion allocated for election materials during the 2019 general elections.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. SERAP is asking the court to issue a mandamus order compelling INEC to explain how the funds were spent and to disclose details of all contractors paid from the allocation, including the names of their directors and shareholders.
The action follows allegations contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which raised concerns about irregular payments and missing documentation linked to procurement for the 2019 polls.
According to the Auditor-General’s report, more than ₦5.3 billion was irregularly paid to a contractor for the supply of astute card readers without approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement or the Federal Executive Council, and without evidence that the items were supplied.
The report also alleged that over ₦4.5 billion was paid to contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without proof of supply or due process.
Other findings cited by SERAP include questionable advance payments, contracts awarded before approval, failure to deduct and remit statutory stamp duties, unretired cash advances, and inflated vehicle procurement costs.
In several instances, the Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds “may have been diverted” and recommended their recovery and remittance to the treasury.
SERAP said the alleged lapses undermine transparency and accountability in election administration and could erode public confidence in future polls if not addressed.
“INEC cannot effectively discharge its constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections if allegations of this magnitude remain unresolved,” the organisation said in court filings submitted by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
