The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of failing to properly account for how it spent ₦55.9 billion released to it for electoral activities.
SERAP, a civil society advocacy group focused on transparency and good governance, filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The organisation argues that INEC’s failure to provide a clear account of the funds undermines public confidence in the electoral process and violates principles of fiscal accountability.
According to SERAP, the ₦55.9 billion was appropriated by the National Assembly and released from the Federal Government’s consolidated revenue for election-related activities. However, the group asserts that INEC has not disclosed how the money was utilised, failed to present supporting documentation, and ignored calls for transparency from the public and media.
In the suit, SERAP is seeking a court order compelling INEC to provide a full breakdown of all expenses linked to the funds, including contracts awarded, procurement processes, payment confirmations, and details of service providers. The group also wants the court to direct the electoral commission to publish the information in a manner accessible to the public.
Announcing the legal action, SERAP Director Kolawole Oluwadare said that public institutions must be held accountable, particularly when dealing with funds entrusted by taxpayers. He said that when government agencies fail to explain how large sums of money are spent, it creates room for suspicion, corruption, and mismanagement. “INEC’s obligation is not merely to collect funds but to account for them in a transparent and legally compliant way,” Oluwadare said.
The organisation pointed out that free and fair elections depend not only on independent electoral structures but also on public trust. According to SERAP, withholding detailed financial reports about election funding weakens the integrity of democratic processes and runs contrary to international best practices on electoral transparency.
In its letter before action to INEC, SERAP warned that if the commission did not respond within a specified timeframe with the requested financial records, the group would pursue legal remedies. The lawsuit follows this formal notice and underscores SERAP’s determination to affirm the rule of law in public financial management.
INEC is yet to issue a formal response to the lawsuit. In past statements, the electoral commission has maintained that it operates within the law and that it provides statutory reports where required. However, civil society advocates say that piecemeal disclosures are insufficient and that full accountability is essential for citizens to understand how funds appropriated for elections are spent.
Legal experts say the case could set an important precedent for how public institutions account for election-related expenditures. If the court orders INEC to disclose the details of its spending, the judgment could strengthen demands for transparency in the management of other public funds across government agencies.
Supporters of SERAP’s action argue that the lawsuit aligns with global norms on transparency and accountability in electoral financing. They emphasise that open access to financial information on election administration helps reduce corruption risks and builds confidence among stakeholders — including political parties, voters, international partners, and election observers.
As the matter makes its way through the Federal High Court, attention will focus on how INEC responds and whether the judiciary will reinforce the principle that public bodies must account for funds disbursed for electoral purposes. The outcome may influence future expectations on financial disclosure and governance across Nigeria’s electoral ecosystem
