SERAP sues Buhari over missing N881bn in 367 MDAs

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) over his failure to probe allegations that over ₦880bn of public funds are missing from 367 ministries, departments and agencies. SERAP in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1281/2021 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks, “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Buhari to promptly investigate the alleged missing N881bn of public funds and to ensure the prosecution of those suspected to be responsible, and the full recovery of any missing, mismanaged or diverted public funds.” In a statement signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the suit follows the allegations contained in part 2 of the 2018 annual audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation that ₦880,894,733,084.811 was spent by 367 MDAs without any appropriation. According to SERAP, “It is in the interest of justice to grant this application, as it would improve respect for the rights of Nigerians, and improve their access to essential public goods and services, which ought to be provided by the indicted MDAs. “President Buhari has a constitutional duty to ensure the investigation and prosecution of allegations of corruption, as well as recovery of any missing public funds. Section 15[5] of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution [as amended], requires the Buhari administration to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” SERAP added that the missing funds have hindered the ability of the MDAs to meet the needs of the citizens. It noted, “The alleged missing public funds have hampered the ability of the indicted MDAs to meet the needs of average citizens, as the missing funds could have helped the government to invest in key public goods and services, and to improve access of Nigerians to these goods and services.” However, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.