SERAP Sues Governors, Wike Over Missing N40 Trillion Allocations for Local Governments

Bashar Jelani Limanchi

10 months ago

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against Nigeria’s governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for their alleged failure to account for the missing N40 trillion federal allocations intended for local governments.

In response to former president Muhammadu Buhari’s revelations in December 2022 about the mismanagement of funds, SERAP filed a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2024) at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The organization seeks to compel the governors to disclose details of local government allocations and their disbursement from 1999 to the present.

SERAP is additionally urging the court to direct Mr. Wike to publish information regarding federal allocations meant for the Area Councils in the FCT and the actual disbursement of these allocations from 1999 to date. The organization argues that transparency obligations are imposed by the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The lawsuit contends that the governors and Mr. Wike cannot evade transparency requirements, emphasizing that citizens have a right to information about the spending of public funds. SERAP emphasizes that transparency is crucial to building trust in democratic institutions, preventing corruption, and strengthening the rule of law.

The legal action seeks to address the negative impacts of opacity in the disbursement of federal allocations to local governments, contributing to poverty, underdevelopment, and limited access to public goods and services in several states.

Despite substantial federal allocations, ordinary Nigerians have seen little benefit due to widespread corruption. SERAP asserts that combating corruption in the spending of federal allocations would alleviate poverty, enhance access to public goods, and enable local governments to fulfill their constitutional and statutory responsibilities effectively.

Former president Buhari’s recent allegations about governors pocketing or diverting federal allocations underscore the urgency of the issue. The lawsuit refers to constitutional provisions mandating the maintenance of a ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ and emphasizes the need to abolish corrupt practices and distribute material resources for the common good.

In conclusion, SERAP calls for transparency and accountability, asserting that Nigerians are entitled to information about government activities and the utilization of public funds.

Source: Vanguard News

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