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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to “take into account over ₦126.46 billion of public funds allocated for the conduct of elections but allegedly diverted, lost, mismanaged or unaccounted for.”
These funds relate to the procurement of ballot boxes, election equipment and materials, sensitive materials and results sheets, vehicles, accreditation equipment, audit and consulting services, digital archiving, as well as other goods and services required for the implementation and administration of elections.
According to the audited 2023 report of the Auditor General of the Federation, published on 7 August 2026, the findings covered the period between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extended to 31 December 2023.
SERAP urges INEC to “take into account the more than ₦126 billion, including the amounts paid, beneficiaries of the payments, contracts and procurement processes, contractors and suppliers involved, and evidence of delivery, utilization and current status of related election goods, services and assets.”
SERAP also urges Professor Joash Amupitan and INEC “to refer alleged diversions, unlawful expenditure, procurement violations and other financial offenses documented by the Auditor General to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) for investigation, prosecution and redress.”
SERAP urges Professor Amupitan and INEC “to identify the public officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible and take all necessary steps to recover more than ₦126 billion found to have been paid, lost, diverted or paid illegally or irregularly, or paid for goods and services that were not properly supplied or utilized.”
In a letter dated September 12, 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that the funds were spent lawfully and demonstrate that the funds meet their stated objectives.”
SERAP said, “We would be grateful if the recommended steps are taken within 7 days of receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by that time, SERAP will take all appropriate legal action to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
The letter reads in part: “These findings are particularly troubling given the constitutional importance of INEC and the fact that the expenditure relates to resources allocated for the administration of Nigeria’s electoral system.
“These findings demonstrate a gross violation of the public trust and provisions of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), national anti-corruption laws, and the state’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.
“According to the Auditor General, INEC ‘irregularly paid’ more than ₦112 billion [₦112,155,597,845.00] ‘for ballot boxes, devices, election goods and materials without competitive bidding or a BPP No Objection Certificate.’
“The Auditor General found ‘no evidence that the items had been obtained.’ ‘This contract was awarded to a company whose competence, experience, capacity, address and factory location are unknown.’ He was concerned the money ‘may have been diverted’. He wants his money back.
“INEC also ‘paid over ₦1 billion [₦1,058,925,000.00] for 2021 Toyota Prado TXL Models without advertising, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or BPP No Objection Certificate.’ The Auditor General was concerned that the money ‘may have been lost’ and contracts ‘may have been inflated.’
“INEC ‘paid more than ₦3 billion [₦3,136,806,050.00] to four contractors for voting guides, sensitive materials and results sheets before contracts were awarded, without proof of payment.’ The Auditor General was concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted’. He wants the money returned and deposited into the treasury.
“INEC also ‘paid over ₦9 billion [₦9,245,965,502.60] for 22 contracts for similar goods and services’, with the contracts ‘separated to avoid procurement procedures and awarded on the same day.’ The Auditor General said the money ‘may have been lost’ and ‘payments may have been made for goods not supplied.’
“INEC ‘paid over ₦129 million [₦129,375,000.00] to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without evidence of utilization or request and expenditure by consultants.’ The Auditor General raised concerns that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money returned and deposited into the treasury.
“INEC also ‘paid over ₦504 million [₦504,492,641.00] for accreditation devices without a proper procurement process. ‘The APG expired before the security license key was delivered and the software was only valid for four months, raising questions about economics and value for money.’ The Auditor General also raised concerns that the funds ‘may have been diverted.’
“INEC ‘paid over ₦235 million [₦235,103,000.00] to unqualified contractors for digital bedding and archiving.’ The Auditor General identified ‘serious concerns regarding the suitability and capacity of the contractor’, and raised concerns that the money ‘may have been lost.’ He wants his money back.
“INEC must provide documentary and physical evidence that more than ₦112 billion identified as ‘improperly paid’ was actually used to procure election-related materials and explain the location and current status of such materials.”
“The Nigerian people have the right to know every public action, everything done in the public interest, by their public institutions including INEC.”
“Democracy requires informed citizens. That principle is directly relevant to the public expenditure made by election management bodies: citizens have the right to know how the resources entrusted to INEC have been used to conduct elections.”
“INEC must also ensure that no equipment, materials or other public assets covered by the Auditor General’s findings are disposed of, removed, destroyed, written off or handled in a manner that could frustrate accountability or recovery pending the completion of reconciliation and consequent investigations.”
“Any reference to the EFCC and ICPC should expressly include contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants who receive public funds irregularly, as well as INEC officials or other public officials who authorize, process, facilitate or derive benefits from such transactions.”
“The recommended investigation should determine, among other things: whether the contracted goods and services were actually supplied; whether payment corresponded to the goods and services actually delivered; and whether the contract was intentionally broken up to circumvent procurement requirements.”
“If investigations reveal that public funds were received or expended unlawfully, INEC shall cooperate fully with the EFCC, ICPC, Auditor General, Attorney General of the Federation and other competent authorities to ensure recovery and remittance of funds to appropriate public accounts.”
“Recovery must include all amounts found to have been paid illegally or irregularly, along with other recoverable public losses recovered through the investigation.”
