The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike.
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The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses them of failing to provide transparent accounts for the trillions of naira received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since 1999.
This legal action comes in the wake of reports detailing significant FAAC disbursements. In March 2024 alone, N1.123 trillion was distributed to federal, state, and local governments, with states receiving N398.689 billion and N403.403 billion in March and April respectively.
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SERAP’s lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/666/2024), filed by attorneys Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, seeks a court mandate compelling the governors and Mr. Wike to publish comprehensive details of their spending.
This includes specifics on projects financed with the allocations, their locations, and completion statuses.
Additionally, SERAP calls for the involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate any corruption allegations and oversee the proper use of these funds.
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SERAP asserts that the persistent lack of transparency in the use of FAAC funds detrimentally impacts Nigerian citizens, particularly the economically vulnerable.
The organization claims that despite the receipt of trillions in allocations, many states and the FCT show no significant improvements in public services or infrastructure, suggesting mismanagement or misappropriation of funds.
The suit emphasizes the constitutional and international obligations of Nigerian public officials to ensure transparency and accountability. It highlights that the opacity surrounding the FAAC allocations prevents citizens from effectively participating in governance and holding their leaders accountable.
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SERAP points out the stark contrast between the increased FAAC allocations and the continuing extreme poverty and lack of basic services in many states and the FCT.
It argues that the misuse of these funds contributes to widespread poverty, further exacerbating the socio-economic conditions of millions of Nigerians.
The organization urges the court to enforce transparency, arguing that making the spending details public would promote accountability and reduce corruption risks.
SERAP also stresses that the failure to disclose this information is inconsistent with Nigerian laws and international anti-corruption commitments.
SERAP’s lawsuit seeks to ensure that the governors and the FCT minister adhere to constitutional mandates and international agreements by providing detailed accounts of their FAAC allocations’ expenditures, thus enhancing public oversight and trust in the management of public resources.
The court is yet to schedule a date for the hearing of the case.
