The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to investigate the alleged missing N880 billion in public funds from 367 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in order to prosecute those suspected of being responsible and recover any missing or diverted public funds.
The suit also names as respondents the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.
The suit was filed in response to the dire allegations contained in Part 2 of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2018 annual audited report that 880,894,733,084.811 was spent by 367 MDAs without any appropriation.
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SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Buhari to promptly investigate the alleged missing funds, ensure the prosecution of those suspected to be responsible, and the full recovery of any missing, mismanaged, or diverted public funds in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1281/2021 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja,
.” Recovering the alleged missing public funds would relieve pressure on the federal government to borrow more money to fund the budget, allow officials to meet the country’s constitutional and international obligations, and reduce the country’s growing public debts.”
“These damning revelations point to a serious breach of public trust, Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, and international human rights and anti-corruption standards.” Spending public funds without authorization invites corruption. Transparent and accountable public financial management is a key pillar of good governance, and it is essential for providing citizens with public goods and services, as well as creating and maintaining equitable and sustainable economic and social conditions in the country. There is no set date for the hearing on the lawsuit.”
