Court Case Filed Against Tinubu, AGF Fagbemi For Inaction On Humanitarian Affairs Ministry Probe

Court Case Filed Against Tinubu, AGF Fagbemi For Inaction On Humanitarian Affairs Ministry ProbeThe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of failing to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to work with anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged mismanagement, diversion, or theft of over N57 billion in public funds from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The allegations, outlined in the 2021 audited report from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, point to severe financial irregularities within the Ministry. Fagbemi is named as a respondent in the suit.

Filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos (suit number FHC/L/MISC/876/2024), SERAP is calling on the court to compel President Tinubu to direct Fagbemi to initiate an investigation into the alleged misappropriation. The group is also seeking the prosecution of those found responsible and the recovery of the missing funds, where sufficient evidence exists.

In its statement, SERAP emphasized the importance of holding those accountable, stating, “Investigating the allegations and prosecuting those involved in the missing N57 billion would put an end to the impunity of the perpetrators.” The group described the alleged misconduct as “stealing from the poor” and urged the government to act in the public interest.

The 2021 audited report highlights several instances of financial mismanagement, including the unaccounted-for N54 billion intended for stipends for N-Power volunteers between August and December 2021. The funds were not disbursed to beneficiaries, raising concerns about possible diversion. The report also revealed that over N2.6 billion allocated for the “home-grown school feeding program during Covid-19” was unaccounted for, with the program reportedly not executed.

Additional missing or mismanaged funds flagged in the report include N78 million for a Covid-19 response survey, N39.5 million for “personal donations,” and N400 million for stipends to independent monitors.

SERAP’s legal team, consisting of Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms. Oluwakemi Agunbiade, argued that granting the reliefs sought would address widespread corruption in Nigeria’s ministries, departments, and agencies, and contribute to resolving the country’s budget deficit and debt challenges.

The report also draws attention to other irregularities, including N287 million paid to contractors without proper documentation and N729 billion under judicial review, which further underscores concerns of systemic corruption. SERAP pointed to constitutional provisions and international agreements obligating the government to combat corruption and uphold justice.

The group has called for measures to ensure accountability and restitution for Nigerians who have been affected by the misuse of public funds. As of now, no hearing date has been set for the case.

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