The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been sued by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for allegedly failing to account for ₦55.9 billion that was supposed to be used for election materials for the 2019 general elections. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said it has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged failure to account for a “missing or diverted” ₦55.9 billion earmarked for election materials for the 2019 general elections.
The accusations can be found in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s most recent annual report, which was released on September 9, 2025. SERAP shared the report on its official X handle on Sunday.
SERAP is requesting an order of mandamus compelling INEC to account for the funds purportedly intended for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials in the lawsuit designated FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, which was filed last Friday before the Federal High Court.
The findings in the Auditor-General’s report were described as a “grave violation of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and international anti-corruption standards” in the lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of SERAP by its attorneys, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo.
SERAP claims that in order to ensure credible elections, INEC must exhibit accountability and transparency.
Additionally, SERAP is requesting that the court order INEC to reveal the names of all contractors who were paid ₦55.9 billion, along with the identities of their shareholders and directors.
“INEC must operate without corruption if the commission is to ensure free and fair elections in the country and uphold Nigerians’ right to participation,” the group contended.
The suit’s hearing date has not yet been set.
SERAP further argued that unresolved claims of financial misconduct could jeopardise upcoming elections, demanding that those responsible—including contractors—be prosecuted and that any money obtained through corruption be fully reimbursed.
According to SERAP, “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.”
Additionally, the organisation cautioned that Nigerians’ right to take part in “free, fair, transparent, and credible” elections is directly threatened by claims of corruption in the purchase of election materials.
According to the Auditor-General’s report, which SERAP cited, INEC “irregularly paid” a contractor more than ₦5.3 billion for the supply of smart card readers for the 2019 elections without obtaining approval from the Federal Executive Council or the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and without providing proof of supplies.
The Auditor-General rejected INEC’s claim that the procurement qualified for national security exemptions as “alien to the Procurement Act” and demanded a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP, citing concerns that the money “may have been diverted”.
Additionally, the audit report claimed that INEC paid six contractors more than ₦4.5 billion for ballot papers and result sheets without providing any documentation of supply, approvals, or proof of the contractors’ eligibility, such as tax and pension clearance certificates.
Additional accusations include the non-retirement of over ₦630 million in cash advances to employees, the awarding of contracts exceeding ₦41 billion for election materials without due process or evidence of contractors’ competence, questionable payments of over ₦331 million under “doubtful circumstances”, and the failure to deduct and remit more than ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties.
Despite INEC’s claim to have paid ₦74 million per unit, the Auditor-General questioned the irregular award of a ₦297 million contract for the supply of four Toyota Land Cruisers, pointing out that market surveys indicated the vehicles did not exceed ₦50 million each at the time.
The Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds “may have been diverted” in a number of cases and suggested that they be retrieved and sent to the Treasury.
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