SERAP Sues INEC Over ₦55.9bn 2019 Election Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to properly account for ₦55.9 billion allocated for the purchase of election materials used during the 2019 general elections.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court.

In a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the funds were meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials.

SERAP said the allegations are contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was published on September 9, 2025.

According to the group, it is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to account for the allegedly missing or diverted ₦55.9 billion used for the 2019 elections.

The organisation is also seeking a court order directing INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid from the funds, including details of their directors and shareholders.

In further details, SERAP cited a 2022 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which alleged that INEC irregularly paid over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers for the 2019 polls.

The report claimed the contract was awarded without prior approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council, adding that the payment was made without supporting documents and with no evidence that the materials were supplied to INEC.

SERAP noted that INEC reportedly defended its action by claiming that approval was unnecessary because the procurement of smart card readers fell under national security and was therefore exempted from the Procurement Act.