SERAP sues Tinubu over ‘N167bn unexecuted projects’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a suit against President Bola Tinubu over the alleged refusal of the federal government to prosecute contractors who reportedly failed to deliver projects worth N167 billion.

In the suit filed before the federal high court in Lagos, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, was joined as a respondent.

In the 2021 auditor-general of the federation’s report published in November 2024, 31 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were said to have paid over N167 billion to contractors for projects not executed.

In December 2024, SERAP asked Tinubu to publish the names of the contractors who received the funds.

In a statement on Sunday, SERAP said it has filed a suit asking the court to compel Tinubu “to direct Mr Olawale Edun to publish the specific names of the companies and contractors who 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 said it also asked the court to compel Tinubu “to direct Mr Olawale Edun to publish the details of the projects, such as the locations of the projects for which the contractors and companies collected N167bn, the amount collected by each contractor and company and the names of the shareholders”.

SERAP said holding the contractors accountable is a necessary step to prevent waste and abuse of public funds.

“Granting the reliefs sought would ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds are spent by MDAs, and reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement,” the statement reads.

“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.

“It also imposes obligations on the government to ensure that sanctions imposed for corruption on natural and legal persons are effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

“Ensuring the accountability of companies and contractors and the recovery of any diverted public funds would improve public accountability in MDAs.

“The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to practice.

“According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation published on Wednesday 13 November 2024, thirty one (31) ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) paid over N167 billion (N167,592,177,559.40) to companies and contractors for contracts and projects not executed.

“The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) alone reportedly paid N100 billion to companies and contractors for projects not executed.

“Companies and contractors reportedly collected N100 billion from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) for contracts and projects not executed.

“The thirty other MDAs including Nigerian Correctional Service; National Pension Commission, Abuja; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri; and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Office.

“Others include: Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger state; National Centre for Women Development; Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB); Federal University of Gasua; and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“Accountability requires transparency. Nigerians’ right to a democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government, and have an opportunity to assess progress and assign blame.”

The organisation said the court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the suit.