Court Orders Tinubu to publish NDDC forensic audit report, release names linked to alleged N6trn misappropriation

Court Orders Tinubu to publish NDDC forensic audit report, release names linked to alleged N6trn misappropriation

In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered President Bola Tinubu to compel the Attorney General of the Federation to publish the names of individuals indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over N6 trillion allocated for 13,777 abandoned NDDC projects between 2000 and 2019. The court also directed the government to make public the full NDDC forensic audit report, submitted on September 2, 2021.

The judgment, delivered on Monday, 10 November, by Justice Gladys Olotu, followed a Freedom of Information (FOI) lawsuit—FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021—filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). A certified true copy of the ruling was obtained last Friday.

Justice Olotu declared that the audit report and the names of those indicted fall squarely within the definition of public records under Section 31 of the FOI Act and are not protected by the exemptions listed in Sections 11–19. She faulted the president and Attorney General for failing to act on SERAP’s demand for publication, ruling that their refusal violates statutory obligations under the FOI Act, Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, and Nigeria’s international commitments to transparency.

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The court emphasized that public institutions must routinely publish financial information, noting that the president has a “non-discretionary duty” to release the report. The judgment reaffirmed that Nigerians have a right to access information in the custody of public officials unless it falls under limited exemptions.

Reacting to the verdict, SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare hailed the decision as “a victory for transparency and accountability,” urging President Tinubu to comply immediately. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, also praised the judgment as one of the most patriotic public interest cases ever pursued in Nigeria, insisting that the names of those implicated must be made public and all suspects prosecuted.

In a letter dated 22 November 2025, SERAP urged President Tinubu to demonstrate commitment to the rule of law by directing the Attorney General to obey the court’s orders without delay. The group described compliance as essential to rebuilding trust, strengthening governance, and addressing the socio-economic impact of the 13,000+ abandoned projects on communities across the Niger Delta.

The FOI suit, filed in 2021, argued that the missing trillions and failed projects have deprived citizens of essential services such as healthcare, education, and reliable electricity.

Justice Olotu ultimately granted two orders of mandamus compelling the federal government to:

1. Publish the names of all persons indicted in the alleged N6 trillion NDDC fraud.
2. Release the full NDDC forensic audit report to the public.

Court Orders Tinubu to publish NDDC forensic audit report, release names linked to alleged N6trn misappropriation