INEC Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Procurement Breaches in N126bn Spending.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking an account of more than N126.46 billion allocated for electoral operations.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, asks the court to order INEC to disclose how the funds were spent. SERAP is also seeking details of payments, contractors, suppliers and beneficiaries connected to the transactions.

The case follows concerns raised in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 audited report, published on August 7, 2026. The report reviewed transactions from January to December 2022, with some extending to December 31, 2023.

According to SERAP, the audit identified payments that may have breached procurement rules or lacked adequate evidence that contracted goods and services were delivered.

Among the transactions cited is an alleged N112.16 billion payment for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other election materials. The report reportedly found no evidence of competitive bidding or a certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement. It also raised concerns about whether the items were supplied and recommended recovering the funds.

SERAP also questioned an alleged N1.06 billion payment for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 vehicles, reportedly made without proper advertising, competitive bidding or bid evaluation. The audit raised concerns that the contracts may have been inflated.

Other transactions highlighted include N3.14 billion allegedly paid to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive election materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded, and N9.25 billion reportedly spent across 22 contracts for similar goods and services. The contracts were allegedly awarded on the same day, raising questions about whether they were split to avoid procurement requirements.

The suit further refers to an alleged N504.49 million payment for accreditation devices and N129.38 million paid to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services, with insufficient evidence of how the services were used.

SERAP is asking INEC to provide documentary evidence of the purchases, identify the contractors and public officials involved, and disclose the location and condition of the electoral materials. It has also asked the court to prevent the transfer, disposal or destruction of assets connected to the allegations while the case is considered.

The organisation says Nigerians have a right to know how public money is managed, particularly by an institution responsible for conducting elections. It argues that transparency is important to public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.