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

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted legal proceedings against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, over their alleged failure to properly account for ₦128 billion in public funds.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who disclosed that the lawsuit was filed on Friday.

The suit, referenced FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, stems from findings contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 audited report, which was released on September 9, 2025.

SERAP is seeking a court order compelling the minister and NBET to fully account for the alleged missing or diverted ₦128bn and to provide detailed records of how the funds were utilised.

Specifically, the organisation wants the court to direct both parties to publicly disclose comprehensive information on the expenditure, including payment dates, identities of contractors or beneficiaries, and the officials who approved or were involved in the transactions.

The advocacy group expressed concern over the persistent hardships endured by Nigerians due to repeated national grid failures and unstable electricity supply, which it attributed to entrenched corruption within the power sector.

“Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences of widespread and systemic corruption in the electricity sector,” SERAP stated, adding that “there is a strong public interest in ensuring accountability and justice over these serious allegations.”

According to the organisation, granting the reliefs sought would not only help curb institutional corruption but also contribute to resolving the frequent collapse of transmission infrastructure and improve access to reliable power supply.

“Ordinary citizens remain trapped in darkness, yet are burdened with exorbitant electricity bills, all because of corruption in the power industry,” the group added.

The legal action was filed by SERAP’s team of lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, and is anchored on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, as well as international anti-corruption conventions ratified by Nigeria.

SERAP maintained that public institutions have a statutory duty to uphold transparency, ensure accountability, and eradicate corrupt practices in public service.

As of the time of filing, no date has been scheduled for the court hearing.