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Threatens Legal Action against Commission
- Safiu Kehinde
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days ultimatum to account for over N126.46 billion in public funds appropriated for electoral operations.
SERAP alleged that the funds allocated for to the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials were diverted ans unacclunted for.
Other purposes of the funds highlighted by the organisation included provisionof sensitive materials and result sheets, vehicles, accreditation devices, audit and consultancy services, digital archiving and other goods and services required for the conduct and administration of elections.
According to a letter dated 12th of September 2026 and issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on 7 August 2026, revealed the findings variously covered periods between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extended to 31 December 2023.
SERAP urged INEC to “account for the over N126 billion, including the amounts paid, the beneficiaries of the payments, the contracts and procurement processes, the contractors and suppliers involved, and evidence of delivery, utilisation and the current status of the goods, services and electoral assets concerned.”
It also urged the INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to refer the alleged diversion, unlawful expenditure, procurement violations and other financial misconduct documented by the Auditor-General to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, prosecution and recovery.
SERAP also urged Amupitan and INEC “to identify the public officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible and take all necessary steps to recover any of the over N126 billion found to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid, lost, diverted, or paid for goods and services not supplied or properly utilised.”
The organisation maintained that electoral resources are public resources, stressing thay INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated.
It held that the commission has seven days to respond to its request or face legal consequences.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.” SERAP said.