The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Federal Government at the ECOWAS Court of Justice over alleged financial irregularities involving ₦78.8 billion allocated to cash-transfer and social protection programmes for vulnerable Nigerians.
The suit follows findings in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2024 Annual Report, which questioned payments and expenditures involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO).
According to the report, about ₦33.751 billion reportedly transferred to more than 3.2 million households across 35 states in 2023 could not be adequately verified due to the absence of necessary records.
The report also flagged ₦36.744 billion in payments made without prepayment audits and another ₦4.616 billion in expenditure unsupported by adequate documentation.
In suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/42/26, SERAP is asking the court to compel the Federal Government to account for the questioned funds, investigate the reported irregularities and recover any money found to have been misappropriated or improperly spent.
The organisation is also seeking appropriate legal or administrative sanctions against anyone found responsible, as well as stronger financial oversight, beneficiary verification and auditing procedures for future disbursements.
SERAP argued that the failure to account properly for funds meant for vulnerable households raises concerns about Nigerians’ rights to social security and an adequate standard of living, including access to basic necessities such as food, clothing and housing.
It urged the government to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance intended for them and that any harm arising from established irregularities is addressed.
SERAP said it had previously written to President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities on September 5, urging them to publish the relevant financial records, investigate the audit findings and recover any funds found to have been unlawfully spent.
According to the organisation, the deadline given to the government expired without adequate action, prompting it to approach the regional court.
No hearing date has been fixed for the case.
The allegations are yet to be determined by the court, while the audit findings do not, on their own, establish that the funds were stolen or diverted.
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