Nation Demands Justice: INEC Told To Explain Disappearance Of ₦55.9 Billion

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to urgently account for the missing or allegedly diverted ₦55.9 billion meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other materials for the 2019 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

SERAP highlighted that these serious allegations are detailed in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General, published on 9 September 2025. The organization also demanded that INEC disclose the names, addresses, and directors or shareholders of the contractors who received the funds.

The advocacy group urged Amupitan to report any confirmed violations to relevant anti-corruption agencies for prosecution and to ensure full recovery of the funds.

In a letter dated 6 December 2025 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization emphasized that INEC must operate transparently and without corruption to protect Nigerians’ right to participate in free, fair, and credible elections.

The letter reads in part:

• The 2022 Auditor-General report found that INEC “irregularly paid over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for smart card readers for the 2019 elections,” without approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council, and without documentation or evidence of delivery. INEC’s claim that the procurement fell under national security was rejected by the Auditor-General.

• INEC also allegedly paid over ₦4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentation, evidence of bidding, approvals, or contractor eligibility certificates.

• Additional concerns include payments of ₦331 million under questionable circumstances, awarding of contracts without proper timelines or approvals, failure to deduct over ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties, and unretired cash advances exceeding ₦630 million.

• Contracts totaling over ₦41 billion for printing election materials were awarded without due process or verification of contractor credentials.

• INEC reportedly overpaid for four Toyota Land Cruisers, paying ₦74 million each, far above market rates, without Federal Executive Council approval.

SERAP stressed that these allegations indicate serious violations of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and international obligations. The organization warned that INEC cannot ensure impartial elections unless the issues are addressed, perpetrators prosecuted, and misappropriated funds recovered.

The group requested a response within seven days, warning that failure to comply would result in SERAP taking legal action to compel INEC to act in the public interest.