SERAP drags Governors, Wike To Court Over Alleged Secrecy In Security Vote Spending

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a lawsuit against state Governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over their alleged failure to publicly account for Nillions of Naira disbursed as security votes since May 29, 2023.

Global Mirror News gathered that the suit followed growing concerns over persistent insecurity across several States and the FCT, despite huge annual allocations to security votes. The rights group cited recurring incidents of violent attacks, including mass killings in parts of the country such as Benue State, as indications that the funds may not be delivering the intended security outcomes.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday December 18, by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. According to the statement, the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/95/2026, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the action, SERAP is asking the court to compel all State Governors and the FCT Minister to publicly disclose comprehensive details of how security votes received since May 29, 2023, have been spent.

The organisation is also seeking an order directing them to provide detailed reports on the allocation, utilisation, implementation status and completion of projects funded through security votes, as well as concrete plans to strengthen security infrastructure in their respective states and the FCT.

SERAP noted that over ₦400 billion is budgeted annually as security votes Nationwide, adding that at least 10 Governors reportedly earmarked about ₦140 billion for the same purpose in the 2026 budget year.

The organisation argued that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know how public funds meant to safeguard lives and property are utilised. It warned that rising insecurity is placing a heavy burden on vulnerable citizens, worsening poverty, hunger and human rights abuses.

According to SERAP, the continued escalation of insecurity reflects a failure by many state Governments and the FCT administration to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

The group stressed that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not support secretive spending of public funds, adding that transparency and accountability are core pillars of democratic governance.

The rights group further maintained that prolonged secrecy surrounding security votes increases the risk of embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of public resources, while weakening public oversight and accountability.

It added that such opacity allows public officials to evade scrutiny over their handling of critical security responsibilities.

SERAP also referenced a Supreme Court judgment affirming that the Freedom of Information Act applies to public records across the federation, including records on security votes held by state Governments and the FCT.

According to the organisation, the ruling makes it clear that Governors can no longer rely on claims that the Act does not apply to them.

While acknowledging that certain operational details may be legitimately protected for national security reasons, SERAP insisted there is no legal basis for withholding basic information on public spending. It described the continued non-disclosure of security vote expenditures as a grave breach of public trust and contrary to constitutional and international accountability standards.

The organisation further linked Nigeria’s worsening security challenges to broader development concerns, citing the World Bank’s recent classification of Nigeria as an economy in fragile and conflict-affected situations. It noted that the Bank associated rising insecurity with extreme poverty, food insecurity and weak state capacity, warning that millions of Nigerians are currently experiencing acute hardship as a result.

SERAP disclosed that the suit was filed on its behalf by lawyers Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Andrew Nwankwo and Valentina Adegoke. It added that no date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.