The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over alleged irregularities involving N55.9 billion earmarked for election materials used during the 2019 general elections.
The allegations are contained in the latest report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, released on 9 September 2025, which accused INEC of poor financial accountability in its dealings with contractors. According to the report, several payments were made without proper records, approvals, or supporting documents.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to order INEC to fully account for the funds in question. The group also wants the commission to disclose the identities of contractors involved, including their directors and shareholders, and to take steps to recover any missing public funds.
SERAP warned that unresolved financial misconduct within INEC poses a serious threat to electoral credibility, stressing that transparency is essential for public confidence in future elections.
The organisation said INEC cannot be trusted to conduct neutral and credible polls unless the allegations are thoroughly investigated, those responsible are prosecuted, and all misappropriated funds are recovered.
The Auditor-General’s report detailed several financial breaches. It revealed that over N5.3 billion was paid to a contractor for smart card readers without approval from either the Bureau of Public Procurement or the Federal Executive Council, and without proof that the items were delivered.
Although INEC claimed the transaction was justified on national security grounds, the Auditor-General dismissed the explanation. The report also noted that more than N4.5 billion paid to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets lacked essential documentation, including bidding records and proof of contractor qualification.
Other questionable expenditures cited include N331 million for unspecified contracts, N41 billion spent on printing election materials without due process, and N297 million used to purchase four Toyota Land Cruisers at prices far above market value.
The audit further disclosed that INEC failed to account for over N630 million given out as cash advances to staff and did not deduct more than N2.1 billion in required stamp duties from contractor payments.
SERAP’s legal team, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, described the alleged misconduct as a serious breach of public trust, constitutional provisions, and international anti-corruption obligations.
The court has yet to announce a date for the hearing.
