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• Demands details of payments, contractors, procurement of election materials
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court ,Abuja over alleged irregularities involving more than N126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations, demanding a comprehensive account of how the funds were disbursed and utilised.
The organisation is seeking a court order compelling the electoral commission to disclose details of payments made for ballot boxes, electoral devices, sensitive materials, result sheets, vehicles and other election-related goods and services, following findings contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 audit report.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, filed last week, SERAP asked the court to grant an order of mandamus compelling INEC to provide documentary evidence of the expenditure, including the identities of contractors, suppliers, consultants and beneficial owners of companies that received payments.
The action followed allegations of procurement violations, irregular payments, possible diversion of public funds and questionable contract awards highlighted in the audit report published on August 7, 2026.
The findings covered transactions undertaken between January and December 2022, with some extending to December 31, 2023.
According to SERAP, the audit raised serious questions about the management of resources allocated to the commission for electoral operations, particularly the procurement of materials and equipment intended to support the conduct of elections.
The organisation said the Auditor-General flagged an alleged payment of N112.16 billion for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
It stated that the audit report identified inadequate evidence that the materials had been procured, while also questioning the competence, experience, capacity and physical locations of companies awarded the contracts.
SERAP said the Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds might have been diverted and recommended their recovery.
The organisation also cited an alleged payment of N1.06 billion for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 model vehicles without evidence of advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or the required BPP approval.
According to the audit findings cited in the suit, the procurement irregularities raised concerns about possible contract inflation and loss of public funds.
Another ₦3.14 billion was allegedly paid to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded, with the report said to have raised questions about the supporting documentation.
SERAP further alleged that ₦9.25 billion was paid under 22 contracts for similar goods and services that were split and awarded on the same day, allegedly to circumvent established procurement procedures.
Other transactions flagged in the audit included ₦129.38 million paid to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without adequate evidence of the services requested, rendered or utilised.
The organisation also cited the alleged payment of ₦504.49 million for accreditation devices without compliance with prescribed procurement procedures.
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According to SERAP, the Auditor-General observed that the relevant security licence key was delivered after the applicable advance payment guarantee had expired, while the software reportedly had a validity period of only four months.
The audit further questioned payments amounting to ₦235.10 million to contractors whose qualifications and capacity to supply sleeping mats and provide digital archiving services were reportedly not established.
SERAP maintained that the scale of the alleged irregularities required INEC to provide a detailed financial and documentary account of the transactions rather than leave questions about the expenditure unresolved.
It specifically asked the court to compel the commission to produce documentary and physical evidence establishing that the ₦112.16 billion allegedly paid irregularly was used to procure the electoral materials for which the money was released.
The organisation also demanded information about the current location, condition and status of the materials, arguing that public accountability required evidence of actual delivery and continued existence of assets purchased with public funds.
Beyond the disclosure of financial records, SERAP sought an order directing INEC to preserve electoral equipment, materials and other public assets covered by the Auditor-General’s findings.
It argued that the assets should not be disposed of, transferred, destroyed or written off in a manner that could undermine investigations or frustrate efforts to establish accountability.
The organisation further demanded publication of the names of contractors, suppliers and consultants who allegedly received irregular payments, as well as the identities of INEC officials and other public officers who authorised, processed, facilitated or benefited from the transactions.
SERAP maintained that access to such information was necessary to determine whether contracts were properly awarded, payments corresponded with actual deliveries and procurement processes complied with applicable laws.
It argued that the alleged irregularities raised constitutional and statutory questions concerning the management of public funds, transparency in government expenditure and the obligation of public institutions to combat corruption and abuse of office.
The organisation also relied on Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption and other regional and international instruments promoting accountability and citizens’ participation in public affairs.
According to SERAP, the need for transparency has become particularly urgent as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, when the credibility of electoral administration and public confidence in INEC will again come under scrutiny.
It maintained that the disclosure of procurement records, payment details and evidence of delivery would help establish whether resources appropriated for electoral operations had been applied to their intended purposes.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo.
