2019 elections: SERAP drags INEC to Court over ‘missing N55.9bn’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to explain how ₦55.9 billion meant for the 2019 general elections was spent.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the money was meant for smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials. The organisation said the allegations were highlighted in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to account for the missing or diverted ₦55.9 billion meant to buy smart card readers, ballot papers, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.”

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SERAP is also asking the court for “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid the ₦55.9 billion for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections, including the names of their directors and shareholders.”

In the suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP referenced the Auditor-General’s 2022 audited report, which alleged that “INEC ‘irregularly paid’ over N5.3 billion [N5,312,238,499.39] to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers for the 2019 general elections.

“The contract was awarded without prior approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council. The payment was also ‘made without any document. There was no evidence of supplies to the commission.’

“INEC claimed approval was not sought because ‘the supply of smart card readers falls under national defence or national security and therefore exempted under the Procurement Act.’”

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General rejected this position as “alien to the Procurement Act” and said INEC should have obtained a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP. He expressed concern that the funds “may have been diverted” and recommended recovery and remittance of the money to the treasury.

The report also alleged that INEC paid more than ₦4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without evidence of supply or proof that due procurement procedures were followed. Other issues raised include questionable payments of over ₦331 million, failure to remit over ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties, non-retirement of over ₦630 million in cash advances to INEC officials, and contract awards worth over ₦41 billion without proper process.

The Auditor-General also queried a contract for four Toyota Land Cruisers allegedly supplied to INEC for over ₦297 million, noting that market checks at the time showed the vehicles did not cost more than ₦50 million each, while INEC paid ₦74 million per unit.

SERAP argued that INEC must operate with transparency and accountability if it is to ensure credible elections and protect citizens’ right to participate in the democratic process.

No hearing date has been fixed yet.