Spotlight on SERAP’s Unyielding Battle in Exposing Corruption, Demanding Public Accountability

Like a relentless bulldog, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has undoubtedly been at the forefront of Nigeria’s fight for transparency and accountability, challenging government officials to account for trillions of naira in public funds. Through legal action and Freedom of Information, FOI, requests, the organisation is demanding answers on the spending of FAAC allocations, local government funds, and oil revenues. It is also pushing for investigations into alleged corruption cases, including missing refinery rehabilitation funds and mismanaged ecological funds, amongst others. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that SERAP’s relentless pursuit of justice underscores its commitment to exposing corruption and ensuring public funds are used judiciously for the benefit of Nigerians 

For over two decades, state governors have received trillions of naira from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), yet the impact of these funds remains questionable. What have they done with the money? How much of the allocations intended for local governments actually reached them?

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has made it its mission to uncover the truth, relentlessly demanding transparency in the management of public funds. 

With a strong legal framework backing its work, the organisation continues to hold those in power to account as shown by the recent breakdown of SERAP’s latest calls for accountability, issued through letters and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

Trillions in FAAC Allocations: An Unanswered Question

In its latest move, SERAP has urged all 36 state governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to provide and publicly disclose records detailing how they have spent FAAC allocations since 1999. 

The organisation has also asked them to invite anti-corruption agencies—the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)—to audit the use of these funds.

This demand follows reports that in March 2024 alone, FAAC disbursed N1.123 trillion to federal, state, and local governments, with states receiving N398.689 billion.

In its 20 April 2024 FOI request, SERAP emphasised:“Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds, including FAAC allocations, are spent.”

Local Government Funds: The Missing Link

Beyond state-level spending, SERAP is also pressing for transparency on funds allocated to local governments. It has demanded that governors disclose details of federal allocations meant for local councils and explain how much of the money was actually disbursed since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

The organisation is calling for an investigation, citing former President Muhammadu Buhari’s claim in December 2022: “If the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the chairman, but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with.” SERAP maintains that the public has a right to know the truth about how local government funds have been handled.

N825 Billion and $2.5 Billion for Refinery Repairs: Where Did It Go?

SERAP has also turned its attention to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), urging its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kolo Kyari, to account for an alleged missing N825 billion and $2.5 billion reportedly allocated for refinery rehabilitation and other oil revenues. These concerns stem from the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2021 report, which was published on 27 November 2024.

The organisation has called on Kyari to identify those responsible for the missing funds and hand them over to the relevant anti-corruption agencies. Additionally, it has urged him to invite former President Olusegun Obasanjo to inspect Nigeria’s refineries, with the EFCC and ICPC monitoring the process to ensure accountability.

In a letter dated 4 January 2025, SERAP stated: “The grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and the country’s international obligations.” It warned that if NNPCL fails to respond, the organisation will consider taking legal action in the public interest.

N26 Billion Missing from the Petroleum Ministry and PTDF

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also been called upon to act. SERAP has requested that he direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations that over N26 billion in public funds was misappropriated from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources in 2021.

This follows the publication of the Auditor-General’s 2021 audited report on 13 November 2024. In a letter dated 1 February 2025, SERAP stated:“Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.”

It further urged Tinubu to channel any recovered funds towards closing the deficit in the 2025 budget and addressing Nigeria’s mounting debt crisis.

N585.2 Million Diverted to a Private Account?

SERAP has also demanded an investigation into the alleged transfer of N585.2 million by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu. The funds, meant for vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states, were reportedly transferred to a private account belonging to an official in her ministry.

In its letter to President Tinubu, the organisation urged the government to determine whether the funds were indeed transferred and to publicly disclose the names of any individuals who may have benefited from the transaction.

SERAP also insisted that Edu be compelled to release full details of spending within the National Social Investment Programme (NSIPA), including a breakdown of payments made since 29 May 2023.

Appeal to the United States for Stolen Funds

Beyond Nigerian authorities, SERAP has also written to the United States government, urging it to track and recover assets linked to corruption by Nigerian public officials. In a letter addressed to US President Donald Trump, the organisation requested that the US Department of Justice initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings to recover illicit funds.

This appeal follows the return of $52.88 million allegedly linked to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. SERAP noted that this sum is “a tiny fraction of the over $500 billion that has been reportedly stolen from Nigeria and located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction.”

The Borno Ecological Fund Scandal

Another pressing issue SERAP has raised concerns the handling of ecological funds in Borno State. The organisation has urged President Tinubu to direct anti-corruption agencies to investigate how the billions of naira allocated for ecological projects since 2001 were spent—including N816 million collected between January and June 2024.

The group argued that mismanagement of these funds has contributed to devastating environmental challenges such as flooding. It called for the prosecution of any officials found guilty of corruption, as well as the recovery of stolen funds.

In a letter dated 21 September 2024, SERAP emphasised:“Your government has a legal obligation to address the prevalence of flooding across the country and its effect on people, and to ensure that the money meant to stop the floods is not lost to corruption.”

Challenge to Fuel Price Hike

SERAP has also demanded that President Tinubu instruct the NNPCL to reverse the second increase in petrol prices within a month, pending the outcome of an ongoing court case challenging the company’s authority to do so.

It has already filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the price increase—rising from N897 to N1,030 per litre—undermines the rule of law and exacerbates economic hardship.

“One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions,” SERAP stated in its open letter dated 12 October 2024.

SERAP’s Influence and Recognition

Since its founding in 2004, SERAP has been a driving force in Nigeria’s fight for human rights, press freedom, and government accountability. As a member of the UNCAC Coalition, a global anti-corruption network spanning over 100 countries, it has played a key role in exposing corruption.

Among its accolades, the organisation received the 2014 Anti-Corruption Defender Award at the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting. It has also been nominated for the UN Civil Society Award and the Ford Foundation’s Jubilee Transparency Award.

With its growing influence, SERAP remains a formidable force, ensuring that public officials—no matter how powerful—are held to account.

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has made it its mission to uncover the truth, relentlessly demanding transparency in the management of public funds. With a strong legal framework backing its work, the organisation continues to hold those in power to account as shown by the recent breakdown of SERAP’s latest calls for accountability, issued through letters and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests