In a significant legal move aimed at enforcing fiscal transparency, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a lawsuit against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and all thirty-six state governors. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the officials’ failure to account for the spending of security votes since they assumed office in May 2023. The organization contends that despite the massive annual allocation of over N400 billion in security votes across the country—including a reported N140 billion earmarked by ten governors for the 2026 budget cycle alone—insecurity remains a pervasive issue, evidenced by recent tragedies such as the massacre in Benue State and widespread banditry.
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/95/2026, seeks an order of mandamus to compel Minister Wike and the governors to publicly disclose the specific details of how these substantial funds have been utilized. SERAP argues that the continued opacity surrounding security votes is unconstitutional and violates the public trust, effectively turning these funds into personal entitlement rather than resources for safeguarding lives. In a statement released on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized that Nigerians have a fundamental right to know how public funds meant to protect their lives and property are being deployed, particularly when the security situation appears to be deteriorating in many parts of the country.
Beyond the demand for spending details, the rights group is asking the court to direct the officials to release comprehensive reports on the status of any security infrastructure projects purportedly funded by these votes. The organization warns that the lack of oversight is directly linked to the devastating toll insecurity is taking on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians. This legal action marks an escalation in the friction between SERAP and the FCT Minister, following previous disagreements over policy decisions such as the construction of housing for judges. As of Monday morning, neither the Minister nor the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has issued an official response to the lawsuit.
