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SERAP warns Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi over failure to enforce NDDC court judgment
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Federal High Court ordered disclosure of names linked to alleged ₦6trn NDDC fraud
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Group issues seven-day ultimatum, threatens contempt proceedings
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to institute contempt of court proceedings against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, over the failure to enforce a Federal High Court judgment related to the alleged misappropriation of ₦6 trillion at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In a letter dated December 13, 2025, SERAP called on the Attorney General to immediately comply with a judgment delivered on November 10, 2025, by Justice Gladys Olotu in a Freedom of Information suit.
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The court ordered the Federal Government to publish the names of individuals indicted in the alleged diversion of ₦6 trillion meant for 13,777 abandoned NDDC projects executed between 2000 and 2019. It also directed the government to make public the NDDC forensic audit report submitted on September 2, 2021.
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In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the refusal to enforce the judgment undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in the judiciary.
SERAP described the judgment as final, binding and immediately enforceable, stressing that failure to comply amounts to a direct affront to Nigeria’s legal system.
The organisation cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which compels all authorities and persons to obey and enforce court judgments, warning that continued disobedience constitutes a serious constitutional violation.
SERAP further cautioned that the Attorney General and other officials responsible for enforcement could face personal liability, including contempt sanctions, if the judgment remains unimplemented.
As the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, the group said the Attorney General has a constitutional obligation to uphold court decisions, protect public interest and ensure accountability in governance.
SERAP added that continued inaction would deepen corruption and impunity across government institutions and breach Nigeria’s international human rights commitments.
The organisation issued a seven-day ultimatum, warning that failure to comply would trigger legal action to compel obedience to the court order.
