The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the governors of all 36 states and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, over alleged failure to account for billions of naira spent as “security votes” since May 29, 2023.
The suit, filed Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows reports of the Benue massacre and ongoing insecurity across several states and the FCT, despite over N400 billion budgeted annually for security votes. SERAP noted that 10 governors reportedly allocated about N140 billion as security votes in 2026.
SERAP is asking the court to compel the governors and Wike to disclose how security funds have been spent and provide detailed reports on allocations, implementation status, completion reports, and plans for improving security infrastructure.
In the suit, lawyers for SERAP argued that “Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds, including security votes, are spent to ensure the security of life and property.” The organization said escalating insecurity is harming vulnerable Nigerians, increasing poverty, hunger, and other human rights violations.
The suit also warns of a “significant risk of embezzlement, misappropriation, or diversion of public funds” and said many governors and the FCT minister are failing to meet their constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, in violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
