Lagos, Jan. 25, 2025 – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) for their failure to account for N128 billion missing or diverted public funds from their coffers.
It disclosed this in a statement signed by Kolawole Olwadare, its Deputy Director, and issued on Sunday.
SERAP said that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, was filed last Friday following allegations in the audit report of Auditor-General of the Federation published on Sept .9, 2025.
According to the statement, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Adelabu, the Minister and NBET to disclose details of how the missing or diverted ₦128 billion was spent, including the dates of disbursement and the purported beneficiaries or contractors who received the money, as well as their registered business names and addresses.
It is also seeking an order to direct and compel the minister and NBET to disclose the full names, official designations, and offices of all public officers who authorised, approved or participated in the release of the missing or diverted ₦128 billion in the ministry and NBET.
SERAP stressed that public institutions are legally bound to ensure transparency, accountability and the abolition of corrupt practices, citing the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and international anti-corruption conventions.
It said Nigerians should not continue to pay the price for the widespread and grand corruption in the power sector.
“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations.
“Granting the reliefs sought would contribute to tackling corruption in the power sector and addressing the persistent breakdown of transmission lines in the country, as well as improving access of Nigerians to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.”
“Granting the reliefs sought would also strike a blow against the impunity of those responsible for the missing or diverted public money meant to provide Nigerians with access to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply,” the statement said.
