By Ayomide Otitoju
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET) over the alleged mismanagement of N128 billion in public funds.
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday under number FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, seeks to compel the minister and NBET to account for the missing or allegedly diverted funds.
According to SERAP, corruption remains a key factor behind frequent electricity grid collapses, including the first national grid failure of 2026, which plunged parts of the country into darkness last week.
The suit references findings from the Auditor-General’s latest annual report, published on September 9, 2025, which flagged irregularities in the Ministry of Power and NBET’s accounts. SERAP is asking the court to order disclosure of all officials involved in authorising, approving, or otherwise participating in the release of the N128 billion.
“Nigerians continue to pay the price for widespread and grand corruption in the power sector,” SERAP said. “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations.”
The organisation argued that court intervention would help curb impunity in the sector, improve electricity transmission, and ensure regular power supply for Nigerians.
The Auditor-General’s report cited over N4.4 billion transferred to the Mambilla, Zungeru, and Kashimbilla project accounts with no evidence of expenditure, raising fears of diversion. In addition, over N95 billion paid to contractors for various projects lacked documentation or proof of project execution, prompting the Auditor-General to demand recovery of the funds.
SERAP emphasised that ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences of corruption, facing frequent blackouts while paying inflated electricity bills.
“Granting the reliefs sought would contribute to tackling corruption in the power sector and safeguarding the public interest,” the statement added.
