SERAP Drags Power Minister NBET To Court Over Alleged ₦128bn Unaccounted Funds

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A fresh legal confrontation has emerged within Nigeria’s electricity sector as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project initiated court proceedings demanding transparency over billions of naira reportedly unaccounted for in public expenditure tied to power administration.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, lists the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc as defendants. According to the advocacy organisation, the case seeks judicial clarification on the handling of approximately ₦128 billion allegedly not properly documented within government financial records.

SERAP explained that its legal action followed observations contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 audit report released in September 2025. The group argued that unresolved questions surrounding the funds raise serious concerns about financial accountability in an industry already facing operational instability.

Rather than merely requesting explanations privately, the organisation is asking the court to compel public disclosure. Specifically, it wants authorities to present detailed breakdowns covering payment timelines, identities of contractors or beneficiaries, and officials linked to approval processes connected with the disputed expenditure.

The advocacy body linked the issue directly to Nigeria’s ongoing electricity crisis. It maintained that frequent grid collapses and inconsistent power supply cannot be separated from governance and transparency challenges affecting the sector. According to SERAP, citizens continue to bear financial and social costs despite substantial public investment.

In one part of its argument, the organisation stressed that ordinary Nigerians face rising electricity tariffs while many communities still experience unreliable supply. Ensuring accountability, it said, could help restore confidence and encourage reforms capable of improving infrastructure performance.

The legal filing relies on multiple statutory frameworks, including constitutional provisions, the Freedom of Information Act, and international anti-corruption agreements ratified by Nigeria. SERAP’s legal representatives — Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo — contend that public institutions are legally bound to provide transparent records when public funds are involved.

Beyond recovering information about the disputed funds, the group believes a favourable court ruling could strengthen institutional oversight and discourage future financial irregularities within the power industry.

At the time of reporting, no hearing date had been assigned, leaving the matter awaiting judicial scheduling as stakeholders across the energy sector watch closely.

Commentary & Analysis: Accountability And Nigeria’s Power Sector Challenges

SERAP’s lawsuit highlights a recurring theme in Nigeria’s electricity sector — the intersection between governance, funding, and service delivery. Despite decades of reforms and significant financial injections, electricity reliability remains a major national concern.

Transparency advocates argue that unresolved audit queries weaken investor confidence and slow infrastructure development. Legal actions such as this often serve dual purposes: seeking answers about specific funds while pushing systemic reforms that promote openness in public finance management.

If the court compels full disclosure, the case could establish an important precedent for how audit findings translate into enforceable accountability measures. Conversely, delays or unresolved litigation may reinforce public skepticism about institutional oversight.

Ultimately, the outcome may influence not only perceptions of financial transparency but also broader efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s power supply — a sector widely considered essential for economic growth and industrial expansion.