Governors, Wike dragged to court over security votes

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

SERAP is asking the court to force them to explain how they have spent billions of naira collected as “security votes” since May 29, 2023.

The lawsuit comes after repeated cases of killings and insecurity across many states and Abuja, including the recent massacre in Benue State.

This is despite the fact that over ₦400 billion is budgeted every year as security votes. Reports show that 10 governors alone planned to spend about ₦140 billion on security votes in 2026.

The case was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

What SERAP Wants

SERAP is asking the court to order the governors and the FCT minister to:

Reveal how security votes have been spent since May 29, 2023

Provide full details of allocations, spending records, and reports

Explain whether projects funded by security votes were completed

Show plans, if any, to improve security infrastructure in their states and the FCT

SERAP’s Argument

SERAP said Nigerians have the right to know how public funds meant to protect lives and property are used.

The organisation noted that insecurity has continued to worsen, leading to poverty, hunger, and serious human rights violations, especially among vulnerable citizens.

SERAP also said many governors and the FCT minister have failed in their constitutional duty to protect Nigerians, as stated in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to SERAP, the Constitution never intended security votes to be spent secretly or without accountability.

The group warned that the lack of transparency creates a high risk of corruption, including embezzlement and diversion of public funds.

SERAP added that forcing public disclosure would allow Nigerians to have an honest discussion about insecurity and what leaders are actually doing to address it.

Conclusion

SERAP described the secrecy surrounding security votes as a major cause of large-scale corruption over the years.

It said the failure to account for these funds violates public trust, Nigeria’s Constitution, anti-corruption laws, and international human rights obligations.

No hearing date has been set yet for the case.