The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged failure to account for ₦55.9 billion budgeted for election materials during the 2019 general elections.
The allegations are contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation and were publicised by SERAP via its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, filed last Friday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to account for the funds allegedly meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials.
The suit, filed by SERAP’s lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, described the Auditor-General’s findings as a “grave violation of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.”
According to SERAP, transparency in electoral spending is crucial to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
“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,” SERAP said.
The organisation is also asking the court to compel INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid the ₦55.9 billion, including the directors and shareholders of the companies involved.
SERAP argued that the commission must operate without corruption to guarantee credible elections and protect Nigerians’ right to participate in the democratic process.
“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 stated.
No hearing date has been fixed for the suit.
The Auditor-General’s report alleged that INEC irregularly paid over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers for the elections without approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council, and without evidence of supply.
Although INEC reportedly claimed the procurement fell under national security exemptions, the Auditor-General rejected the explanation as “alien to the Procurement Act,” insisting that a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP was required.
The report warned that the funds “may have been diverted.”
Similarly, over ₦4.5 billion was allegedly paid to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentary proof of supply, approvals, or evidence that the contractors met eligibility requirements such as tax and pension clearance certificates.
Other allegations include:
Questionable payments of ₦331 million under “doubtful circumstances”
Failure to deduct and remit ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties
Non-retirement of ₦630 million in staff cash advances
Award of contracts worth ₦41 billion without due process
The report also queried the irregular award of a ₦297 million contract for four Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, noting that market surveys showed each vehicle cost no more than ₦50 million, despite INEC’s claim of paying ₦74 million per unit.
In several instances, the Auditor-General recommended that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury, warning that unresolved allegations of financial misconduct could undermine future elections.
SERAP insisted that those responsible, including contractors allegedly involved, must be prosecuted.
“Allegations of corruption in the procurement of election materials directly threaten Nigerians’ right to participate in elections that are free, fair, transparent and credible,” the organisation said.
