The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the 36 state governors in Nigeria for their failure to account for the N72 billion subsidy palliative funds received from the federal government. SERAP is demanding transparency and details regarding the beneficiaries and the relief measures provided with the money.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare, the Deputy Director of SERAP, disclosed the lawsuit.
In September, the Federal Government disbursed N2 billion out of a N5 billion palliative package to each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. The governors of the respective states confirmed receiving the N2 billion subsidy palliative.
The suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/1943/2023, was filed by SERAP at the Federal High Court in Lagos last Friday, seeking an order of mandamus to compel the governors to account for the spending of the subsidy funds.
According to SERAP, the lack of transparency in the utilization of the N72 billion is undemocratic and could foster distrust in the government. The organization holds that the governors’ failure to disclose details of the beneficiaries and the relief measures is a violation of democratic principles and morally unacceptable.
“There is no democratic freedom without accountability, and the basic principle of accountability is that the people should have information about the operations of the government,” SERAP emphasized in their statement.
The organization believes that compelling the governors to disclose the spending of the N72 billion would enhance transparency in governance and contribute to the development of an open and democratic society.
Furthermore, SERAP argues that access to information is essential for citizens to fully participate in a democracy, as it allows for scrutiny of government activities and ensures the truth is ultimately revealed. They state that Nigerians have the right to know how their states are utilizing funds allocated for fuel subsidy relief, as it is their legally enforceable human right.
The organization asserts that transparency and accountability in the utilization of the N72 billion subsidy funds, as well as any subsequent disbursements to the governors, would help mitigate the risk of corruption, mismanagement, diversion, and opportunism.
No date has been set for the hearing of the suit at the moment, according to SERAP.
Three weeks ago, SERAP issued a seven-day ultimatum to the 36 governors to disclose details of the N72 billion subsidy palliative spending.
