SERAP Sues INEC Over Alleged Mismanagement of N55.9bn Election Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission over allegations that N55.9 billion meant for the 2019 general elections was mismanaged.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows findings in the Auditor-General’s latest annual report, which raised concerns about irregular payments to contractors for smart card readers, ballot papers, and other electoral materials.

SERAP is seeking a court order to compel INEC to disclose full details of the expenditures, including the names of all involved contractors, and to recover any missing funds. The group argues that the commission’s failure to ensure transparency undermines public trust and the right to credible elections.

The Auditor-General’s report highlighted several irregularities, including over N5.3 billion paid for smart card readers without required approvals and N4.5 billion paid to contractors without supporting documents. Other flagged expenditures include inflated vehicle purchases and unretired cash advances.

SERAP stated that addressing these allegations is essential for INEC to impartially administer future elections. No hearing date has been set for the case.