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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu over his alleged failure to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to investigate claims of misappropriated public funds amounting to over ₦57 billion.
The funds were allegedly siphoned from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
The allegations are based on findings from the 2021 audit report recently published by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The lawsuit, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos (suit number FHC/L/MISC/876/2024), names Mr Fagbemi as a respondent and seeks a court order compelling President Tinubu to direct Fagbemi to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies to investigate the missing funds.
SERAP also calls for the prosecution of those implicated, provided there is sufficient evidence, and for the recovery of the diverted public funds.
SERAP argues that investigating and addressing these allegations is crucial for ending impunity and ensuring justice.
“The allegations amount to stealing from the poor,” the group stated, emphasizing the need for accountability in protecting public resources meant to alleviate poverty.
The audit report details several instances of alleged financial misconduct within the Ministry:
Over ₦54 billion allocated for stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and trainees from August to December 2021 was reportedly unaccounted for, with the funds not directly reaching beneficiaries.
₦2.6 billion earmarked for a school feeding program during COVID-19 was allegedly misappropriated as the program was not implemented.
₦400 million meant to pay stipends to independent monitors was reportedly untraceable.
₦78 million was spent on a COVID-19 response survey without documented approval or justification.
Payments exceeding ₦287 million to contractors lacked proper documentation.
₦39.5 million in personal donations was reportedly reimbursed directly to the Minister.
The Auditor-General suspects that these funds may have been diverted and has recommended their recovery and the sanctioning of those responsible.
In its filing, SERAP stressed that corruption in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) not only undermines public trust but also exacerbates the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
The organization linked these allegations to systemic corruption and called on the government to uphold constitutional and international anti-corruption obligations, including those outlined in the UN Convention against Corruption.
SERAP’s legal team, led by Kolawole Oluwadare and Oluwakemi Agunbiade, argued that addressing the issue could help mitigate Nigeria’s budget deficit and debt challenges.
The group also emphasized that combating corruption would promote the equitable distribution of the nation’s resources, as mandated by the Nigerian Constitution.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.