RismadarVoice Reporters
January 25, 2026
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over the alleged failure to account for N128bn in public funds.
The suit was filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare.
According to the organisation, the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, was instituted last Friday following allegations contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s report published on September 9, 2025.
In the lawsuit, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the minister and NBET to account for what it described as “the missing or diverted N128bn from the Ministry of Power and NBET.”
The group also asked the court to direct the defendants to disclose details of how the funds were allegedly spent, including the dates of disbursement and the beneficiaries or contractors who received the money.
SERAP further urged the court to compel the disclosure of the names, official designations and offices of all public officers who authorized, approved or participated in the release of the funds.
According to the organization, Nigerians have continued to bear the brunt of corruption in the power sector, especially in the face of frequent grid collapses and erratic electricity supply.
“Nigerians continue to pay the price for the widespread and grand corruption in the power sector,” SERAP said, noting that there is a strong public interest in ensuring accountability for the alleged financial irregularities.
The group argued that granting the reliefs sought would help address systemic challenges in the electricity sector.
“Granting the reliefs sought would contribute to tackling corruption in the power sector and addressing the persistent breakdown of transmission lines, as well as improving access of Nigerians to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply,” it stated.
SERAP also warned that corruption has worsened hardship for electricity consumers, many of whom remain without stable power supply despite rising tariffs.
“Common Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector—staying in darkness, but still made to pay crazy electricity bills,” the organisation said.
The suit was filed by SERAP’s legal team comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, and is based largely on findings from the Auditor-General’s 2022 audited report, which highlighted alleged financial irregularities involving the Ministry of Power and NBET.
SERAP cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and relevant international anti-corruption conventions, arguing that public institutions are legally required to ensure transparency, accountability and the prevention of corrupt practices.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
