By Jane Okafor, Abuja
Socio- Economic Rights and Accountability Project(SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the commission’s failure to account for the missing or diverted N55.9 billion meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.
The administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan conducted the 2019 general elections where Professor Attahiru Jega served as the INEC chairman.
The grave allegations of missing or diverted N55.9bn are documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on 9 September, 2025, prompting SERAP to file the lawsuit compelling INEC to account for the funds.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, we are seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC Nigeria to account for the missing or diverted ₦55.9 billion meant to buy smart card readers, ballot papers, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.
The organisation is also seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid the ₦55.9 billion for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections, including the names of their directors and shareholders.
In a statement on Sunday disclosed this, SERAP stated: “INEC Nigeria must operate without corruption if the commission is to ensure free and fair elections in the country and uphold Nigerians’ right to participation.
“INEC cannot ensure impartial administration of future elections if these allegations are not satisfactorily addressed, perpetrators including the contractors involved are not prosecuted and the proceeds of corruption are not fully recovered.
“INEC cannot properly carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections in the country if it continues to fail to uphold the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
“These allegations also constitute abuse of public office and show the urgent need by INEC to commit to transparency, accountability, clean governance and the rule of law.”
