Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The actions follows allegations that ₦55.9 billion allocated for the procurement of materials for the 2019 general elections was not properly accounted for.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 and filed on Friday, January 9, seeks an order of mandamus compelling INEC to explain how the funds were spent.
SERAP said the money was budgeted for items including smart card readers, ballot papers and other election materials.
The legal action follows findings contained in the 2022 report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was published in September 2025 and raised concerns about INEC’s financial and procurement practices.
The report alleged that more than ₦5.3 billion was paid to a single contractor for smart card readers without approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement or the Federal Executive Council.
According to the audit, additional payments totaling ₦4.5 billion were made to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentary evidence that the materials were supplied.
The report also questioned cases in which payment receipts were reportedly issued several months before contracts were formally awarded.
It further alleged that contracts valued at about ₦41 billion for printing election materials were awarded without due process or proof of contractor eligibility.
The Auditor-General also queried the purchase of four Toyota Land Cruisers for ₦297 million, noting that available market surveys indicated significantly lower prices.
In its court filings, SERAP argued that the alleged mismanagement of election funds undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The group said transparency and accountability are essential for the conduct of credible elections and asked the court to compel INEC to disclose the identities of the contractors involved, including the names of their directors and shareholders.
INEC reportedly told auditors that some procurement decisions were taken under national security considerations and to ensure the completion of the 2019 general elections in order to avoid a constitutional crisis.
However, the Auditor-General described those explanations as unsatisfactory and inconsistent with the provisions of the Procurement Act.
SERAP is asking the court to order the recovery of any funds found to have been misappropriated and to direct the prosecution of those responsible. A hearing date has not yet been fixed.
