By Abiola Olawale
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu concerning an alleged non-prosecution of contractors involved in an alleged fraud case where over N167 billion was reportedly collected from 31 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for projects that were purportedly never executed.
SERAP filed this lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking to compel the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to prosecute the affected contractors.
The organisation is also seeking an order to compel the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, to disclose detailed information about the projects, including the names of the contractors, the project locations, and the amounts each contractor received.
SERAP’s arguments include the notion that failing to prosecute these entities violates the Nigerian Constitution, anti-corruption laws, and international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
The organisation asserted that such accountability is vital for preventing waste, fraud, and abuse of public funds, which directly impacts the public’s access to essential services like health, education, and administration.
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade, reads in part: “Granting the reliefs sought would ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds are spent by MDAs, and reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.”
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