SERAP Sues 36 Governors, Wike Over ‘Security Votes’ Spending

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over their alleged failure to account for the spending of billions of naira allocated as security votes since May 29, 2023.

In the suit, SERAP accused the state governments and the Federal Capital Territory administration of violating constitutional provisions and international anti-corruption obligations by refusing to disclose how security vote funds are spent. The organization argued that the persistent secrecy surrounding these funds undermines transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

SERAP maintained that security votes—meant to address pressing security challenges—are public funds and should therefore be subject to public scrutiny. It said the failure to publish detailed spending records raises serious concerns about possible misuse, especially at a time when insecurity remains widespread across the country.

The rights group is asking the court to compel the governors and the FCT minister to provide full details of security vote expenditures, including amounts received, purposes, and beneficiaries, and to make such disclosures routinely available to the public.

According to SERAP, ensuring transparency in the management of security votes is essential to rebuilding public trust and strengthening Nigeria’s fight against corruption.