SERAP Sues Adebayo Adelabu over ₦128bn Power Sector Funds
SERAP Sues Adebayo Adelabu over ₦128bn Power Sector Funds
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The legal action seeks to compel the defendants to account for over ₦128 billion in public funds that are allegedly missing or diverted from the power sector.
The suit follows findings from the 2022 annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which raised several red flags regarding financial management within the ministry and NBET.
SERAP is asking the court for an order of mandamus to force the disclosure of how these funds were spent, including the specific dates of disbursement.
Among the specific allegations is the claim that the Ministry of Power failed to account for over ₦4.4 billion transferred to project accounts for the Mambilla, Zungeru, and Kashimbilla power plants. The Auditor-General reportedly found no evidence of how these massive sums were actually utilized or expended.
The lawsuit also highlights “non-personal advances” exceeding ₦282 million paid to various staff members for the procurement of goods and services.
These payments were allegedly made in violation of the N200,000 statutory threshold, leading to concerns that the money may have been diverted for private use.
Further allegations involve the NBET, which reportedly awarded contracts worth over ₦427 million without any evidence of advertisement in procurement journals. SERAP argues that such irregularities suggest the contracts may have been awarded to incompetent contractors, resulting in a loss of government funds.
The legal body also pointed to the irregular transfer of ₦7.6 billion by NBET into sub-accounts of unnamed beneficiaries. Another N8 billion was allegedly paid to various beneficiaries without being recorded in the official payment vouchers or vote books, raising suspicions of widespread misapplication.
SERAP is also challenging an extra-budgetary expenditure of over ₦1.1 billion by NBET, which was reportedly done without the necessary approvals from the Minister of Finance or the National Assembly.
Additionally, over ₦110 million was allegedly spent on retail supermarket items and holiday packages for staff without proper documentation.
The organization argues that these financial infractions are directly linked to the country’s persistent power grid collapses and erratic electricity supply.
They maintain that the grand corruption in the sector has forced Nigerians to pay the price for systemic failures while public funds are being siphoned.
While Minister Adelabu has clarified that the audit period predates his appointment in 2023, SERAP insists on a full judicial inquiry to ensure accountability.
The group is asking the court to order the recovery of all missing funds to help reduce Nigeria’s budget deficit and address the national debt crisis.
