The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against Nigeria’s governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, over what it claims to be the disappearance of N40 trillion in federal allocations earmarked for local governments across the country.
In a statement released on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization highlighted the lawsuit, filed with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2024 at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The lawsuit comes in response to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s revelations in December 2022, alleging widespread misappropriation of funds intended for local governments.
The lawsuit aims to compel the governors to provide detailed accounts of local government allocations and their actual disbursement since 1999. Additionally, SERAP seeks to force Minister Nyesom Wike to disclose similar information regarding federal allocations meant for Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to SERAP, transparency regarding the allocation and expenditure of federal funds designated for local governments is crucial for accountability, corruption prevention, and building trust in democratic institutions.
The organization argues that both the Nigerian Constitution and international agreements, such as the Freedom of Information Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, impose transparency obligations on state governors and Minister Wike.
“Transparency in the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments is fundamental to increase accountability, prevent corruption, build trust in democratic institutions, and strengthen the rule of law,” stated SERAP.
