The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over their alleged failure to account for ₦128 billion in public funds.
The suit was instituted before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, following allegations contained in a report by the Auditor-General of the Federation released on September 9, 2025.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed that the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, was filed last Friday.
According to the organisation, the funds were allegedly either missing or diverted from the Ministry of Power and NBET.
“SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling the Minister of Power and NBET to account for the missing or diverted ₦128bn,” Oluwadare said.
The rights group also urged the court to compel the defendants to publicly disclose how the funds were utilised, including details of disbursement and the identities of beneficiaries or contractors who allegedly received the money.
“We are seeking an order directing the disclosure of the dates the funds were released, how they were spent, and the names of those who benefited from the alleged diversion,” the statement added.
SERAP further requested that the court mandate the release of the names and official positions of all public officials involved in approving or authorising the expenditure of the funds.
The organisation argued that corruption in the electricity sector has continued to worsen the living conditions of Nigerians, especially in the face of repeated national grid collapses and unstable power supply.
“Nigerians continue to pay the price for widespread and grand corruption in the power sector,” SERAP stated. “There is a clear public interest in ensuring accountability and justice for these serious allegations.”
SERAP maintained that granting the reliefs sought would help address long-standing systemic failures in the electricity sector.
“An order of the court would contribute to tackling corruption, fixing persistent transmission failures, and improving access to reliable electricity for Nigerians,” the group said.
The organisation also noted that electricity consumers continue to suffer despite poor service delivery.
“Ordinary Nigerians remain in darkness while being forced to pay exorbitant electricity bills,” SERAP added.
The lawsuit was filed by SERAP’s legal team, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo. It relies on findings from the Auditor-General’s 2022 audited report, which highlighted several alleged financial irregularities involving the Ministry of Power and NBET.
SERAP cited relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and international anti-corruption treaties, stressing that public institutions are legally obligated to uphold transparency and accountability.
No hearing date has been fixed for the case.
