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SERAP sues Tinubu over failure to probe alleged missing N57bn

Published

1 year ago

December 16, 2024

SERAP sues Tinubu over failure to probe alleged missing N57bn

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged President Bola Tinubu before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to order the probe of N57 billion stolen from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.

SERAP is explicitly asking the court to compel President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to work with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged missing public funds promptly.

The organisation is also urging the court, in the suit which is yet to be assigned to a judge, to compel President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General to collaborate with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to prosecute anyone suspected of being responsible for the missing N57 billion if sufficient admissible evidence is available and to recover any missing public funds.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, SERAP averred that the government should investigate the allegations, prosecute those suspected of being responsible for the missing N57 billion, and recover the missing funds. This would help to end perpetrators‘ impunity.

The civil society organisation further argues that the allegations represent theft from the poor, and there is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these serious accusations.
The plaintiff noted that low-income Nigerians continue to bear the burden of widespread and grand corruption in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

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SERAP emphasised that „citizens feel the consequences of corruption daily. Corruption forces them to incur additional health, education, and administrative costs.

SERAP also stated that the allegations indicate a serious breach of public trust, contravening the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the country’s anti-corruption laws, and international anti-corruption obligations.

In the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, the plaintiff submitted that granting the reliefs sought would significantly address corruption within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and the nation’s budget deficit and debt challenges.

SERAP said that the damning findings are documented in the 2021 audited report recently published by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Hundreds of billions of naira are also reportedly missing in other MDAs.”

According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation “failed to account for over N54 billion (N54,630,000,000.00) intended for paying monthly stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021.”

This money was “not directly paid to the beneficiaries.”

The Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds „may have been diverted.“ He has called for the recovery of the money and its remittance to the treasury, along with sanctions against suspected perpetrators of the diversion in line with financial regulations.

In addition, the Ministry reportedly failed to account for over N2.6 billion (N2,617,090,786.00) allocated for the “homegrown school feeding program during COVID-19,” as “the program was never executed.”

The money was allegedly paid to five contractors for „procurement, packaging, and distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to Kano, Zamfara, and Abia states,” but there is no trace.

The Auditor-General fears that this money “may have been diverted” and has requested recovery and remittance to the treasury.

The Ministry reportedly spent over N78 million (N78,373,909.74) on “a survey on the Ministry’s COVID-19 response to states and vulnerable groups” without approval or documentation.

The Auditor-General is concerned that the funds may be missing or that they ended up in the pockets of “incompetent contractors.” He has called for recovery and remittance to the treasury.

Additionally, the Ministry failed to account for N39.5 million (N39,500,000.00) in „personal donations to different personalities.“ This amount was „paid directly to the minister as reimbursement.“

The Auditor-General fears that this money „may have been diverted,“ leading to „the loss of public funds.“ He has requested its recovery and remittance to the treasury.

SERAP sues Tinubu over failure to probe alleged missing N57bn

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Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Nigerian TikTok star Peller

Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested popular social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, following a viral video showing him driving recklessly and crashing his vehicle during a live-stream.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the arrest comes after public outrage over the dangerous road crash, which occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The police described Peller’s actions as life-threatening, endangering both himself and other road users.

“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained Habeeb Hamzat aka ‘PELLER’ for further investigation, following the viral video in which he was seen driving recklessly, resulting in a dangerous accident while live-streaming,” the statement partly read.

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The incident is now under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), with the outcome to be made public. The suspect is expected to face charges in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned social media influencers and members of the public against using online platforms to engage in reckless or unlawful behaviour. “Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, and the full weight of the law will be applied on any offender,” he stated.

The crash has reignited debate over the rising trend of risky stunts by content creators, with many Nigerians calling for stricter enforcement to curb similar incidents.

Authorities continue to emphasize road safety, urging all drivers to comply with traffic regulations and warning that anyone endangering lives on the state’s roads, regardless of social status or online influence, will face prosecution.

This latest incident highlights the urgent need for responsible social media usage, public safety awareness, and stronger law enforcement against dangerous behaviour on Nigerian roads.

Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash

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Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration

Published

7 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana

Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration

LAGOS — Prominent human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of 10 soldiers accused of killing three police officers in Taraba State, as well as 400 alleged terrorism financiers whose cases were reportedly abandoned under the previous administration.

In his petition, Falana accused former AGF Abubakar Malami, SAN, of deliberately shielding the suspects from justice despite “overwhelming evidence.” Copies of the petition were also sent to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“The withdrawal of terrorism charges against these soldiers and the failure to prosecute hundreds of terror financiers amount to a grave abuse of prosecutorial powers and a betrayal of public trust,” Falana said.

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Falana recalled that in August 2019, 10 soldiers led by an Army Captain ambushed and killed three police officers in Jalingo, Taraba State, after they had arrested notorious kidnapper Bala Hamisu, also known as Wadume. Although the soldiers were initially charged with terrorism offences at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the case was abruptly terminated after Malami entered a nolle prosequi, which Falana described as unconstitutional.

He noted that while the United Arab Emirates convicted six Nigerians for financing Boko Haram—two sentenced to life imprisonment and four jailed for 10 years—Nigerian authorities failed to bring a single financier to justice.

Falana accused Malami of failing to prosecute the 400 suspected terrorism financiers arrested after investigations by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Department of State Services (DSS), despite assurances that trials would commence after a judicial workers’ strike.

“The case files of these suspected financiers are reportedly still in the Office of the Attorney-General, while many of the suspects have regained their freedom. Nigeria cannot win the war against terrorism while protecting those who finance and execute it. The era of impunity must end,” Falana added.

Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration

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Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies

Nigerians may experience power shortages this Yuletide as gas-to-power debt issues disrupt electricity generation across the country.

Gas companies have begun cutting supplies to thermal power plants over unpaid debts, forcing electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to reduce daily power supply.

On Tuesday, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) informed customers across the South-East that low system frequency, caused by gas supply constraints, had necessitated load shedding by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). EEDC subsidiaries affected include MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.

Similarly, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that poor generation and allocation from generation companies (GenCos) were causing load shedding in its franchise areas.

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The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) confirmed that gas producers had started cutting supply due to outstanding debts owed by the government, despite a recent approval of N185 billion by the Federal Government for payment of arrears to gas suppliers, announced on December 4, 2025, by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) further disclosed that gas pipeline vandalism in the upstream network has worsened the situation, causing reduced output from gas-fired power plants and a decline in national grid generation capacity. Emergency measures, including increased hydroelectric dispatch and voltage control interventions, have been activated to maintain system stability.

With over 80 per cent of grid-connected power plants relying on natural gas, the sector remains highly vulnerable to gas supply disruptions, raising fears of sustained power outages during the festive season unless liquidity issues and infrastructure vulnerabilities are urgently addressed.

The current development signals a critical need for government intervention, stakeholder coordination, and investment in gas infrastructure to prevent widespread electricity shortages across Nigeria.