The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET) over their alleged failure to account for ₦128 billion in public funds linked to the power sector.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks an order compelling Adelabu and NBET to explain how the funds were spent, including details of disbursements, beneficiaries, contractors involved and officials who authorised the payments.
SERAP said the action followed findings contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 audited report, which raised concerns about financial accountability within the Ministry of Power and NBET.
The rights group argued that poor transparency and alleged corruption in the electricity sector continue to worsen Nigeria’s power crisis, citing persistent grid collapses and unreliable electricity supply as consequences of weak governance.
SERAP said Nigerians are “paying the price” for mismanagement in the sector and insisted that full disclosure of the funds is necessary to promote accountability and improve access to electricity.
No hearing date has been fixed for the case.
The Ministry of Power has previously said the audit issues predate the current administration, noting that the 2022 report covers a period before Adelabu assumed office.
