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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a legal action against the Federal Government at the ECOWAS Court of Justice, demanding accountability over ₦78.8bn linked to cash transfers and social welfare programmes for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
The organisation wants the court to compel the authorities to investigate concerns raised in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2024 report concerning the administration of funds meant to support low-income households.
SERAP said the audit findings raised questions about the documentation and management of payments handled by agencies responsible for implementing the government’s social protection initiatives, including the National Cash Transfer Office and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office.
Among the issues highlighted was approximately ₦33.75bn reportedly paid to over 3.2 million households in 35 states in 2023 without sufficient records to verify the transactions. The report also flagged ₦36.74bn in payments allegedly processed without prepayment audits.
Additional expenditures under scrutiny included ₦4.62bn reportedly spent without adequate supporting documents, alongside other payments relating to beneficiary enrolment, purchases and diesel advances.
The group is asking the regional court to order an independent investigation into the questioned transactions and ensure that any money found to have been misappropriated is recovered. It also wants appropriate action taken against individuals found culpable following the investigation.
SERAP argued that weaknesses in the administration of social welfare funds could deprive disadvantaged citizens of assistance intended to improve their living conditions. It stressed that public resources earmarked for poverty reduction must be managed transparently and used for their approved purposes.
The organisation further called for stronger oversight of cash-transfer programmes, including improved financial controls and proper documentation of payments to beneficiaries.
According to SERAP, it had previously petitioned President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities over the audit findings but proceeded to court after its concerns were allegedly not adequately addressed.
The suit seeks to establish accountability for the questioned spending and strengthen safeguards around public funds allocated to vulnerable Nigerians. The allegations have yet to be determined by the court.
