The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted legal action against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over allegations of unaccounted public funds amounting to N128 billion in the power sector.
The civil society group disclosed that the suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing the Ministry of Power and NBET of failing to explain the whereabouts of funds reportedly missing or diverted under their watch.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, was filed on Friday.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the action followed revelations contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s annual report released on September 9, 2025.
The report raised serious concerns over financial irregularities in the power sector, which SERAP said continue to undermine electricity supply nationwide.
The organisation argued that corruption in the sector has contributed directly to recurring collapses of the national power grid, noting that Nigerians recently experienced the first grid failure of 2026, once again plunging the country into darkness.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling the Minister of Power and NBET to fully account for the N128 billion allegedly missing from public records.
The group is also seeking a directive ordering the disclosure of the identities, positions, and offices of all public officials involved in authorising or approving the release of the disputed funds.
According to SERAP, the lawsuit is driven by public interest, stressing that Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences of corruption in the electricity sector through unreliable power supply and high electricity tariffs.
The group maintained that granting the reliefs sought would strengthen accountability, discourage impunity, and contribute to addressing persistent infrastructure failures within the power transmission system.
It added that improved transparency could help restore public confidence and enhance access to regular electricity.
SERAP further referenced details from the Auditor-General’s report, which alleged that over N4.4 billion transferred by the Ministry of Power to accounts linked to the Mambilla, Zungeru, and Kashimbilla power projects could not be properly accounted for.
The report reportedly found no evidence showing how the funds were spent, raising fears that the money may have been diverted.
In addition, the Auditor-General flagged payments exceeding N95 billion allegedly made to contractors for various power projects without supporting documentation or proof that the projects were executed.
The report recommended the recovery of the funds and their remittance to the national treasury.
SERAP argued that the allegations point to a serious breach of public trust and potential violations of the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.
The organisation noted that holding officials accountable for the alleged financial mismanagement was essential to ending the cycle of poor electricity supply, financial waste, and hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.
