The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has reignited calls for accountability in Nigeria’s public finance system, demanding the prosecution of officials and contractors allegedly involved in the disappearance of trillions of naira from key government institutions.
In a string of legal offensives, the civic group is challenging the Federal Government over the secrecy surrounding a N6 trillion forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), unaccounted N500 billion crude oil revenue by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and N167 billion paid for phantom contracts across 31 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Despite being submitted four years ago, the forensic audit report commissioned by the Federal Government on the NDDC’s operations between 2000 and 2019 remains hidden from the public.
SERAP, in a letter dated July 5, 2025, urged President Bola Tinubu to mandate the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to publish the report and prosecute those indicted.
The audit reportedly revealed the diversion of over N6 trillion and more than 13,000 abandoned projects in oil-producing communities.
SERAP warned that continued suppression of the report “is a deliberate attempt to pervert justice” and deprives affected communities of vital infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, clean water, and electricity.
According to Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s deputy director, N1.4 billion was spent on the audit exercise, yet Nigerians remain in the dark. “This is not just about money lost—it’s about lives disrupted and futures stolen,” he said.
In another legal battle, SERAP has dragged the NNPCL before the Federal High Court in Lagos over its failure to account for N500 billion allegedly unremitted oil revenue from the last quarter of 2024.
Citing a World Bank report, SERAP said the NNPCL earned about N1.1 trillion during the period but only remitted N600 billion to the Federation Account.
The organisation is demanding full disclosure and prosecution of anyone found culpable.
Although the NNPCL, through its lawyers, claimed that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to it as a limited liability company, SERAP insisted that the firm remains publicly accountable as a custodian of national oil wealth.
In a separate case before the same court (FHC/L/MISC/121/2025), SERAP is seeking the prosecution of contractors who allegedly collected N167 billion from 31 federal MDAs without delivering any projects.
The suit draws on the 2021 audit report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which exposed a wide network of ghost contracts and fraudulent payments.
Agencies implicated include the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Correctional Service, National Pension Commission, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), which alone reportedly disbursed N100 billion for undelivered projects.
SERAP also petitioned the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the names of the contractors and the projects they were paid for.
The organisation further demanded a thorough probe of N26 billion allegedly misappropriated by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the PTDF in 2021, urging President Tinubu to prosecute those responsible and use recovered funds to cushion the nation’s rising debt burden.
In a separate advocacy letter, SERAP cautioned against the growing trend of executive arms of government offering ‘gifts’—such as vehicles and homes—to judges. The group described the practice as unconstitutional and capable of undermining judicial independence.
The letter, which was also sent to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, called on President Tinubu to halt such gestures and strengthen the National Judicial Council (NJC) to handle judges’ welfare institutionally.
Established to promote transparency and combat corruption, SERAP has become a prominent force in Nigeria’s civic space. Its current wave of legal actions underscores a renewed determination to recover looted funds, secure convictions, and restore public trust in governance.
The organisation warned that Nigeria’s economic development will remain stunted unless the government acts decisively to address systemic corruption.
“What we see is a culture of impunity where billions disappear with no consequences,” SERAP stated. “The Nigerian people deserve answers, justice, and restitution.”
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
