SERAP drags Tinubu to court over alleged N167bn contract fraud

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over his alleged failure to investigate and prosecute contractors who received over N167 billion from 31 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) without executing any projects.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was also joined in the suit, which was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

SERAP had earlier urged Tinubu to direct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, to investigate the matter. The organization is now asking the court to:

Compel President Tinubu to direct AGF Fagbemi to prosecute the companies and contractors involved.

Direct Minister Edun to publish the names of those who received the N167 billion and failed to deliver any projects.

Release full details of the projects, including their locations, the amounts received by each contractor, and the names of shareholders.

SERAP argues that the alleged contract fraud undermines public access to essential goods and services, worsens corruption, and violates the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption agreements.

The lawsuit cites the 2021 Auditor-General’s report, which revealed that 31 MDAs mismanaged N167 billion, with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) alone accounting for N100 billion in payments for unexecuted projects. Other affected MDAs include the Nigerian Correctional Service, National Pension Commission, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

SERAP emphasized that transparency and accountability are crucial for good governance, urging the court to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

A date for the hearing has yet to be scheduled.