The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel INEC to account for more than N126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026 and filed last week, seeks details of how the money was spent, the beneficiaries of payments, the contractors involved and their beneficial owners.
SERAP also wants the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide documents and physical evidence showing that electoral materials were procured, and to disclose their current location and condition. It is asking the court to prevent the disposal or transfer of assets covered by the disputed spending in a way that could frustrate accountability.
According to the organisation, the allegations arise from the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 audited report, published on August 7, 2026. The transactions cover January to December 2022, with some extending to December 31, 2023.
SERAP said the audit questioned more than N112 billion paid for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a Bureau of Public Procurement Certificate of No Objection. It said the Auditor-General found no evidence that the items had been procured and raised concerns that the money might have been diverted.
The organisation also cited more than N1 billion for Toyota Prado vehicles and more than N9 billion for 22 contracts for similar goods and services. It alleged that the vehicle procurement lacked competitive bidding and that the 22 contracts were split and awarded on the same day to bypass procurement procedures.
Other transactions challenged in the suit include payments for ballot guides and result sheets, audit services, accreditation devices, sleeping mats and digital archiving. These remain allegations raised by SERAP in seeking disclosure, not findings of wrongdoing by the court.
SERAP had previously given INEC seven days to release details of the expenditure, as NaijaTrend reported here.
No hearing date had been fixed, according to Premium Times and Vanguard.
Sources: Premium Times, Vanguard, Channels TV
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