Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against Nigeria’s governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr. Nyesom Wike, over their failure to account for N5.9 trillion and $4.6 billion loans obtained by their states and the FCT. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeks to compel the governors and Mr. Wike to disclose details of loan agreements and projects executed with the loans.
The suit comes in response to Governor Uba Sani’s disclosure of Kaduna State’s financial challenges, highlighting the urgent need for transparency and accountability in loan utilization. SERAP’s action aims to ensure that public funds are judiciously utilized for the benefit of citizens and that authorities are held accountable for their stewardship.
In the suit, SERAP calls for the court to direct the governors and Mr. Wike to provide detailed accounts of the loans obtained and to publish copies of loan agreements and project locations. Additionally, SERAP seeks to compel the governors and Mr. Wike to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the spending of all loans acquired to date.