SERAP: Demands INEC Account for ₦126bn Electoral Funds

• SERAP has given INEC seven days to account for over ₦126.46 billion in public funds allegedly mismanaged or diverted from electoral operations.
• The demand is based on the Auditor-General's 2023 report, which flagged irregular payments for electoral materials and vehicles without competitive bidding or BPP Certificates of No Objection.
• The report specifically noted over ₦112 billion paid for electoral items with no evidence of procurement and contracts awarded to unknown companies.
• SERAP urges INEC to refer the alleged financial misconduct and procurement violations to the EFCC and ICPC for investigation and recovery.
• The rights group warns of legal action if INEC fails to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated timeframe.

Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a stern demand to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), giving the electoral body a seven-day ultimatum to provide a comprehensive account for over ₦126.46 billion. These substantial public funds were originally appropriated for crucial electoral operations but are now alleged to have been diverted, lost, mismanaged, or otherwise remain unaccounted for. The funds in question relate to the procurement of essential items such as ballot boxes, various electoral devices and materials, sensitive election materials, and result sheets, alongside other goods and services vital for the administration and conduct of elections.

The call for transparency, articulated in a statement by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, references the 2023 audited report from the Auditor-General of the Federation. This critical report, published on August 7, 2026, scrutinized INEC's financial activities spanning January to December 2022, with some aspects extending to December 31, 2023. SERAP is pressing INEC to disclose specific details, including the exact amounts paid, the beneficiaries of these payments, the nature of the contracts and procurement processes involved, the identities of contractors and suppliers, and concrete evidence of delivery, utilization, and the current status of all concerned goods, services, and electoral assets.

The Auditor-General's report, which forms the bedrock of SERAP's demands, highlights significant irregularities in INEC's financial conduct. A staggering sum exceeding ₦112 billion (specifically ₦112,155,597,845.00) was reportedly paid for ballot boxes, electoral devices, and other materials without adhering to competitive bidding procedures or obtaining a Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). This constitutes a major concern regarding Nigeria electoral procurement audit standards. Furthermore, the Auditor-General found no verifiable evidence that these items were actually procured, noting that contracts were awarded to companies whose competences, experience, capacities, addresses, and factory locations were unknown. The report explicitly voiced concerns that this substantial amount of the INEC ₦126bn missing funds may have been diverted, recommending its recovery.

Beyond the electoral materials, the audit also flagged another questionable expenditure: over ₦1 billion (₦1,058,925,000.00) was disbursed for the acquisition of Toyota Prado TXL 2021 Model vehicles. This transaction, too, allegedly bypassed standard procurement protocols, lacking public advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation, or the requisite BPP Certificate of No Objection. The Auditor-General similarly expressed apprehension that this money might have been diverted, underscoring a pattern of Nigeria public procurement violations within the commission.

SERAP has urged INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, and the commission to promptly refer these alleged diversions, unlawful expenditures, and procurement violations, along with other documented financial misconduct, to Nigeria's primary anti-graft agencies: the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The objective is a thorough investigation, subsequent prosecution of those responsible, and the recovery of the misappropriated funds. The organization insists that INEC must identify all public officials, contractors, companies, suppliers, and consultants implicated in these irregularities and take all necessary measures to reclaim any portion of the over ₦126 billion found to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid, lost, diverted, or disbursed for goods and services that were never supplied or properly utilized.

Emphasizing the sanctity of public resources, SERAP asserted that "Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated." The rights group has made it clear that if no satisfactory response or action is taken within the stipulated seven-day period following the receipt or publication of its letter, it will initiate all appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with its demands in the public interest.

The findings from the Auditor-General's 2023 report are described by SERAP as "particularly disturbing," especially given the constitutional importance of INEC as the custodian of Nigeria's electoral system. The alleged misuse of funds concerns resources specifically appropriated for the administration of the nation's democratic processes. Such revelations, according to SERAP, strongly suggest a grave violation of public trust, a breach of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and a disregard for national anti-corruption laws. Furthermore, these alleged infractions undermine Nigeria's obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

The ongoing scrutiny of INEC's financial practices highlights a critical need for enhanced transparency and accountability in public procurement, particularly within sensitive government agencies. The allegations of SERAP petition INEC financial misconduct underscore the importance of strict adherence to established procurement guidelines, competitive bidding, and regulatory approvals like the BPP Certificate of No Objection, to safeguard public funds and maintain the integrity of democratic institutions.

Lawyers advising clients involved in public procurement in Nigeria, especially with government agencies like INEC, should be aware of the heightened scrutiny on financial accountability and procurement processes. Compliance officers must ensure strict adherence to competitive bidding and regulatory approvals (e.g., BPP Certificate of No Objection) to mitigate risks of investigation for alleged financial misconduct.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online