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SERAP–INEC lawsuit challenges alleged diversion of ₦55.9bn election funds.
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2019 general elections spending on smart card readers, ballot papers queried
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Auditor-General report flags procurement breaches, demands accountability
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over its alleged failure to account for ₦55.9 billion allocated for election materials used in the 2019 general elections.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja following disclosures in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s report published on September 9, 2025.
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The report alleged extensive financial irregularities in the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials.
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SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to explain how the ₦55.9bn was spent and to disclose the identities of contractors paid for the supplies, including details of their directors and shareholders.
According to the organisation, the allegations represent serious breaches of public trust, transparency and accountability, insisting that INEC cannot credibly conduct free and fair elections if such issues are left unresolved.
SERAP also wants all those allegedly involved in the irregularities prosecuted, with any diverted public funds fully recovered and remitted to the national treasury.
The Auditor-General’s report accused INEC of making irregular payments, including over ₦5.3bn allegedly paid to a contractor for smart card readers without proper documentation or approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council. Similar concerns were raised over payments for ballot papers, result sheets, vehicles, generators and unretired cash advances.
SERAP warned that unresolved corruption allegations within INEC undermine Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate in credible elections and erode public confidence in the electoral process.
