SERAP Sues Governors Over Security Vote Spending
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the alleged failure to account for billions of naira spent as security votes since May 29, 2023.
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The move comes amid persistent insecurity across the country despite large allocations to security votes.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/95/2026, seeks to compel the governors and the FCT minister to disclose details of how security vote funds have been allocated, spent, and implemented.
According to SERAP, over N400 billion is budgeted annually for security votes nationwide, with at least ten governors allocating about N140 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
SERAP highlighted that secrecy around security votes undermines public accountability, increasing the risk of embezzlement and diversion of funds. The organisation referenced a Supreme Court ruling affirming that the Freedom of Information Act applies to state records, including security vote expenditures, stressing that basic disclosure does not compromise national security.
The rights group also linked rising insecurity to poverty and poor development outcomes, noting Nigeria’s classification by the World Bank as an economy in fragile and conflict-affected situations. No hearing date has been set for the case, but SERAP insists the suit aims to enforce transparency and safeguard public trust in governance.
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