The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the alleged mismanagement of more than ₦57 billion in public funds reportedly siphoned from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
The legal action, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, also names Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) as a respondent.
SERAP accused the President of failing to order an investigation into the allegations highlighted in the 2021 audit report published by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The group is seeking a court order compelling the President to direct Fagbemi to work with anti-corruption agencies to investigate the matter, prosecute those involved where evidence supports the claims, and recover the missing funds.
In its statement, SERAP described the allegations as a betrayal of public trust, emphasizing that the funds were meant for critical programs such as stipends for N-Power volunteers, school feeding initiatives during COVID-19, and payments to independent monitors.
The audit report revealed discrepancies, including unaccounted funds, unauthorized expenditures, and a lack of proper documentation for payments. SERAP alleged that these funds were likely diverted, depriving Nigerians of essential services and resources intended to alleviate poverty.
The organization stressed that addressing these allegations is crucial to ending impunity and restoring public trust.
SERAP argued that unchecked corruption in government ministries and agencies deepens the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, exacerbates economic challenges, and undermines constitutional and international anti-corruption obligations.
SERAP’s legal team, led by Kolawole Oluwadare and Oluwakemi Agunbiade, called for decisive action, noting that tackling systemic corruption would help mitigate Nigeria’s budget deficit and ensure fair distribution of resources. The group reiterated its commitment to holding public officials accountable and combating the scourge of corruption, which it described as a major obstacle to development and good governance.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
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