The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). This legal action stems from their alleged failure to cooperate with anti-corruption agencies to investigate claims that over ₦57 billion in public funds were misappropriated, diverted, or stolen from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
SERAP noted that the allegations were detailed in the 2021 audited report, which was released in November 2024 by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the lawsuit, marked No. FHC/L/MISC/876/2024, requests the court to mandate President Tinubu to instruct Mr. Fagbemi to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies to expedite an investigation into the missing funds. SERAP also urged the court to ensure the prosecution of any individuals found culpable and to recover stolen funds for the public treasury.
The organisation emphasised that investigating the allegations would address systemic corruption and serve public interest by upholding justice and accountability. SERAP described the misappropriation as “theft from the poor,” highlighting the dire consequences for citizens already burdened by inadequate access to healthcare, education, and other public services.
According to the suit, the 2021 Auditor-General’s report revealed several alarming instances of unaccounted funds within various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Specifically, over ₦54 billion intended for stipends for Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees for August to December 2021 was reportedly not disbursed directly to beneficiaries, raising suspicions of diversion.
Further discrepancies included ₦2.6 billion in funds for the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was paid to contractors without proper documentation. The report also cited ₦78 million spent on a survey without requisite approvals and ₦39.5 million in unaccounted donations, among other irregularities.
SERAP contended that these financial inconsistencies contravene Nigeria’s Constitution, anti-corruption laws, and international obligations under the United Nations and African Union conventions against corruption. The group further argued that addressing these issues could mitigate Nigeria’s budget deficits and debt challenges while safeguarding public trust.
The organisation highlighted that government officials have a constitutional duty to ensure equitable distribution of resources and prevent corruption, as outlined in Sections 13, 15(5), and 16 of the Nigerian Constitution. Moreover, international conventions obligate the Nigerian government to conduct thorough investigations and impose sanctions proportionate to the severity of corruption.
Although the lawsuit sheds light on systemic corruption within MDAs, no date has been set for its hearing.
Source: Sahara Reporters