SOCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Bola Tinubu and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State over failure to direct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, to name and ensure the prosecution of the contractors, who collected over N167 billion from 31 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), but failed to execute any projects.

In the suit number FHC/L/MISC/121/2025 filed at the weekend, SERAP is asking the court to compel the President to direct Edun to publish the names of the companies and contractors that collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs, but failed to execute any projects, as documented in the 2021 Audited Report by the Auditor General of the Federation.

The organisation is also asking the court to compel Tinubu to direct Edun to publish the details of the projects, such as the locations of the projects for which the contractors and companies collected N167 billion, the amount collected by each contractor and company and the names of the shareholders.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that the allegations of corruption involving many companies and contractors, who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs, have continued to impair, obstruct and undermine access of poor Nigerians to public goods and services.

The body is also arguing that holding the companies and contractors, who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs, but disappeared with the money will prevent and combat waste, fraud and abuse in the spending of public funds.

According to SERAP, there is a legitimate public interest in not shielding or allowing ingrained wrongdoing by companies and contractors to go unpunished. SERAP is also arguing that the consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.

The organisation said the allegations suggested a grave violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the countrys anti-corruption legislation and international anti-corruption obligations.

In the suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade, the organisation said granting the reliefs sought would ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds were spent by MDAs and reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.

The UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party contains requirements of integrity and honesty in economic, financial or commercial activities, both in the public and private sectors.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Why are you flagging this comment?

I disagree with this user

Targeted harassment - posted harassing comments or discussions targeting me, or encouraged others to do so

Spam - posted spam comments or discussions

Inappropriate profile - profile contains inappropriate images or text

Threatening content - posted directly threatening content

Private information - posted someone else''s personally identifiable information

Before flagging, please keep in mind that Disqus does not moderate communities. Your username will be shown to the moderator, so you should only flag this comment for one of the reasons listed above.

We will review and take appropriate action.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardians leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.

Follow Us