SERAP Sues President Tinubu Over N167bn Unexecuted Projects

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, demanding an investigation into over N167 billion paid to contractors for unexecuted projects across 31 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

SERAP accuses the Tinubu-led administration of failing to probe and prosecute contractors who allegedly received public funds but did not execute any projects.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, urges the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to direct Finance Minister Olawale Edun to investigate and publish the names of defaulting companies.
The 2021 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, published in November 2024, revealed that 31 MDAs paid over N167 billion for unexecuted contracts.

The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET) reportedly paid N100 billion for projects that were never executed.
Other MDAs involved include:
Nigerian Correctional Service
National Pension Commission, Abuja
Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri
Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)
Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

SERAP is seeking a court order to:
Compel President Tinubu to direct the prosecution of implicated contractors and recover misappropriated funds.
Mandate the publication of:
Names of companies and contractors involved.
Project details, including locations and amounts received.
Names of shareholders linked to the fraudulent payments.

SERAP argues that corruption in public contracting continues to harm poor Nigerians, depriving them of essential public services. The lawsuit emphasizes:

Violations of the Nigerian Constitution and anti-corruption laws.
Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure effective sanctions for financial misconduct.
The urgent need for transparency to prevent future fraud in public spending.

SERAP insists that holding corrupt contractors accountable will enhance public confidence in governance and curb financial mismanagement within MDAs. The case is now awaiting a hearing at the Federal High Court in Lagos.