The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated a legal action against President Bola Tinubu, challenging the government’s alleged failure to investigate substantial financial irregularities within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
SERAP filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, targeting President Tinubu and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, seeking an investigation into the reported missing public funds documented in the 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The lawsuit, registered as suit number FHC/L/MISC/876/2024, specifically demands that President Tinubu direct the Attorney General to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies in probing allegations of approximately N57 billion in potentially missing, diverted, or stolen public funds.
According to the legal document, the Auditor-General’s report revealed multiple financial discrepancies within the ministry. These include an unaccounted N54.63 billion meant for N-Power volunteers’ monthly stipends, which was reportedly “not directly paid to the beneficiaries.”
The organization argued that “the allegations amount to stealing from the poor” and emphasized a legitimate public interest in ensuring accountability. SERAP contends that “poor Nigerians have continued to pay the price for widespread and grand corruption” in government ministries and agencies.
Additional financial irregularities highlighted in the lawsuit include N2.6 billion allegedly unaccounted for in the home-grown school feeding program during COVID-19, N78 million spent on a survey without proper approvals, and N39.5 million in “personal donations” paid directly to the minister.
The lawsuit references constitutional provisions, specifically Sections 13, 15(5), and 16, which impose responsibilities on the government to eliminate corrupt practices and secure citizens’ welfare. SERAP also cited international anti-corruption conventions that obligate Nigeria to prevent and investigate potential public fund misappropriation.
SERAP’s legal team, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare and Oluwakemi Agunbiade, argued that investigating and potentially prosecuting these allegations would “go a long way in addressing corruption in ministries, departments, and agencies” and help tackle the country’s budget deficit and debt challenges.
The organization seeks a court order compelling President Tinubu to direct comprehensive investigations and potential prosecutions if sufficient evidence emerges.
No hearing date has been set for the lawsuit.