Tinubu Faces Lawsuit Over N167bn Missing Public Funds Scandal

Tinubu Faces Lawsuit Over N167bn Missing Public Funds Scandal

President Bola Tinubu is facing legal action from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over the federal government’s failure to prosecute contractors who allegedly vanished with N167 billion without executing any projects.

The funds, reportedly allocated to 31 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), were highlighted in the 2021 Audited Report by the Auditor General of the Federation. Despite the revelations, the contractors remain unidentified, and no action has been taken against them.

Last Friday, SERAP filed suit number FHC/L/MISC/121/2025 at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking an order compelling Tinubu to direct Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, to publicly release the names of the implicated contractors and companies.

SERAP argues that corruption on such a massive scale deprives millions of Nigerians of access to essential public goods and services. The organization insists that prosecuting the firms responsible for the alleged embezzlement would help curb financial misconduct and safeguard public resources.

“There is a legitimate public interest in not shielding or allowing ingrained wrongdoing by companies and contractors to go unpunished,” SERAP stated.

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The organization emphasized that corruption forces citizens to pay extra for healthcare, education, and other essential services. It also noted that prosecuting corrupt contractors would deter future financial malpractice and restore public trust in governance.

SERAP’s legal team, led by Kolawole Oluwadare and Oluwakemi Agunbiade, highlighted in the suit that enforcing transparency and accountability in government spending would significantly reduce corruption risks.

“The UN Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a state party, contains requirements of integrity and honesty in economic, financial, or commercial activities in the public and private sectors,” the suit reads.

SERAP further argued that the Nigerian government has an obligation to ensure that any sanctions imposed on corrupt individuals or entities are effective, proportionate, and serve as a deterrent.

“Ensuring the accountability of companies and contractors and the recovery of any diverted public funds would improve public accountability in MDAs. The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to practice.”

The case has sparked fresh concerns about transparency in Nigeria’s public sector, with citizens demanding more action from the Tinubu administration to address financial mismanagement and prosecute those responsible.

Observers believe that the outcome of the case could set a major precedent for anti-corruption efforts in the country. If the court grants SERAP’s request, it would mark a significant step toward enforcing greater financial accountability within the government.

For now, Nigerians await Tinubu’s response as the legal battle unfolds.