The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have filed a lawsuit against state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over their alleged failure to account for billions of naira allocated as security votes since May 29, 2023.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/95/2026, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. SERAP is asking the court to compel the governors and the FCT minister to publicly disclose how security votes collected during the period have been spent.
According to the organization, the action was prompted by persistent insecurity across several states and the FCT despite massive annual allocations for security votes.
SERAP cited recent incidents, including mass killings in Benue State and other violent attacks nationwide, as evidence that the funds have not translated into improved security.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the defendants should be ordered to provide detailed reports on the allocation, utilisation and implementation of projects funded through security votes, as well as information on completed and ongoing security-related projects.
The rights group noted that over ₦400 billion is budgeted annually as security votes across the country, while at least 10 governors reportedly earmarked about ₦140 billion for the same purpose in the 2026 budget year.
SERAP argued that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know how public funds meant to protect lives and property are spent, stressing that democracy does not permit secretive use of public resources.
The organization warned that rising insecurity is worsening poverty, hunger and human rights abuses, particularly among vulnerable populations.
It added that secrecy surrounding security votes increases the risk of embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of public funds.
SERAP also cited a Supreme Court judgment affirming that the Freedom of Information Act applies to public records held by states and the FCT, including records relating to security votes.
While acknowledging that certain operational details may be protected for national security reasons, SERAP maintained that there is no legal justification for withholding basic information on public spending.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
