The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) alongside four Nigerian citizens has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government over its alleged failure to publish the forensic audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The audit, initially commissioned in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to investigate claims of the alleged mismanagement of approximately ₦6 trillion in funds allocated to the NDDC between 2001 and 2019. The outcome of the audit has yet to be made public, raising concerns among civil society groups and citizens.
SERAP and the co-plaintiffs—Prince Taiwo Aiyedatiwa, Chief Jude Igbogifurotogu Pulemote, Ben Omietimi Tariye, and Princess Elizabeth Egbe—filed the suit at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja. The case, numbered ECW/CCJ/APP/35/25, was filed by legal representatives Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo.
The plaintiffs seek a court declaration that the non-disclosure of the forensic audit report violates Nigeria’s international obligations on human rights, particularly the right to information and transparency in governance.
They are also asking the court to compel the Nigerian government to release the full audit report and implement reforms that will strengthen accountability in the management of public funds allocated to the NDDC.
The lawsuit references recent allegations made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who reportedly claimed that ₦48 billion was paid to the wife of a former minister for "training Niger Delta women." This, according to the plaintiffs, further underscores the need for transparency.
“The government’s refusal to publish the report hinders the public's right to know and fosters a culture of impunity,” SERAP argued in the suit.
As of the time of this report, no hearing date has been scheduled for the case.
