…SERAP also cited allegations that INEC paid more than ₦4.5 billion to six contractors
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to properly account for ₦55.9 billion earmarked for the procurement of election materials used during the 2019 general elections.
In a statement released on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the disputed funds were intended for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other essential electoral materials. The organisation noted that the allegations were contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF), published on September 9, 2025.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks an order of mandamus compelling INEC to give a full account of the alleged missing or diverted ₦55.9 billion. SERAP is also asking the court to order the electoral body to disclose the identities of all contractors paid from the funds, including the names of their directors and shareholders.
According to SERAP, documents cited in the lawsuit include a 2022 audited report by the AGF, which alleged that INEC irregularly paid over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers without obtaining the required approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council. The report further claimed that the payment was made without supporting documentation or evidence that the items were actually supplied.
SERAP said the Auditor-General described the transaction as inconsistent with the Procurement Act, stressing that INEC ought to have obtained a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP. The AGF reportedly expressed concern that the funds may have been diverted and recommended their recovery and remittance to the national treasury.
SERAP also cited allegations that INEC paid more than ₦4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without proof of supply or compliance with procurement procedures, including advertisement, bid evaluation and approval processes.
Additional queries raised in the AGF’s report include payments of over ₦331 million to contractors under questionable conditions, failure to deduct and remit more than ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties, non-retirement of over ₦630 million in cash advances to INEC officials, and the award of contracts worth more than ₦41 billion for printing election materials without due process.
SERAP further alleged that the AGF queried INEC’s purchase of four Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles for over ₦297 million, noting that market checks indicated the vehicles were valued at less than ₦50 million each at the time, whereas INEC reportedly paid ₦74 million per unit.
The organisation maintained that INEC must be transparent and free from corruption to guarantee credible elections and protect Nigerians’ right to freely participate in the democratic process. It argued that the commission cannot effectively discharge its constitutional duties without strict adherence to accountability, transparency and the rule of law.
No hearing date has yet been scheduled for the case.
