The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, seeks a court order compelling INEC to disclose how the ₦55.9 billion was spent. SERAP is also demanding that INEC release the names of contractors who received payments, along with details of their directors and shareholders.
The allegations are based on findings from the Auditor-General of the Federation’s latest annual report, published in September 2025. Among the issues raised is an irregular payment of over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for supplying smart card readers without prior approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement or the Federal Executive Council. The Auditor-General noted that no supporting documents were provided to confirm the delivery of these materials, raising concerns that the funds may have been misused.
INEC reportedly defended the payment by claiming that smart card readers fall under national security, exempting them from standard procurement rules. However, the Auditor-General rejected this justification, stating that INEC should have obtained a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP before proceeding.
Further accusations include ₦4.5 billion paid to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without proper documentation, ₦331 million in questionable payments, and a failure to remit over ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties. Additionally, INEC officers allegedly failed to account for ₦630 million in cash advances, while contracts worth ₦41 billion for printing election materials were awarded without following due process.
The report also highlighted an overpayment for four Toyota Land Cruisers, with INEC spending ₦74 million per vehicle despite market surveys indicating a cost of no more than ₦50 million each.
SERAP argues that INEC must operate transparently and uphold accountability to ensure credible elections and protect citizens' voting rights. The case has yet to be scheduled for hearing.
