The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of failing to prosecute contractors who allegedly collected ₦167 billion from 31 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) without executing any projects.
The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, also names the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as a respondent.
SERAP Demands Transparency and Prosecution
SERAP is asking the court to compel President Tinubu to order the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, to publicly disclose the names of the contractors and companies involved in the scandal.
The group is also demanding that the Attorney General take legal action against those responsible.
The case, designated FHC/L/MISC/121/2025, seeks:
1. The release of the names of contractors and companies that received the funds but failed to deliver any projects.
2. Disclosure of project details, including locations, contract sums, and the companies' shareholders.
3. Immediate prosecution of all individuals and entities involved in the mismanagement of public funds.
N167 Billion Disbursed, No Projects Delivered
The lawsuit is based on the 2021 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on November 13, 2024.
The report revealed that a staggering ₦167,592,177,559.40 was paid to various contractors for projects that were never executed across 31 MDAs.
Among the worst offenders is the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET), which allegedly paid ₦100 billion to contractors without any projects to show for it. Other implicated agencies include: the Nigerian Correctional Service, National Pension Commission, Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB)
Corruption Undermines Public Services – SERAP
SERAP argues that unchecked corruption in government contracts deprives Nigerians of essential public goods and services.
The organization insists that holding contractors accountable is crucial to combating waste, fraud, and abuse in public spending.
The lawsuit further states that failure to prosecute those involved violates the Nigerian Constitution, anti-corruption laws, and international commitments.
Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which mandates accountability in public financial transactions.
The Case for Accountability
SERAP warns that if corrupt contractors and officials are not prosecuted, Nigeria’s economy will continue to suffer, and millions of citizens will bear the brunt.
The group maintains that transparency and accountability are the foundation of any functioning democracy.
As of the time of filing this report, no date has been set for the hearing of the suit.
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