The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over their alleged failure to account for N128 billion said to be missing or diverted from the power ministry and NBET.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows revelations contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which raised concerns over the handling of the funds.
In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling Adelabu and NBET to account for the missing or diverted N128 billion.
The organisation is also seeking an order directing the defendants to publicly disclose how the funds were spent, including the dates of disbursement, the identities of beneficiaries or contractors, as well as their registered business names and addresses.
SERAP further wants the court to compel the disclosure of the full names, official designations and offices of all public officers who authorised, approved or were otherwise involved in the release of the funds.
According to SERAP, corruption in the power sector has continued to undermine electricity supply nationwide, contributing to frequent grid collapses.
The group noted that Nigerians recently experienced the first national grid collapse of 2026, which plunged many parts of the country into darkness.
In its argument before the court, SERAP said Nigerians have continued to bear the consequences of what it described as widespread and grand corruption in the electricity sector, stressing that there is a strong public interest in ensuring accountability for the alleged missing funds.
The organisation argued that granting the reliefs sought would help curb corruption in the power sector, address persistent failures in electricity transmission, and improve access to regular and uninterrupted power supply across the country.
SERAP also maintained that the court’s intervention would strike a blow against impunity by holding accountable those responsible for the alleged diversion of public funds meant to improve electricity supply.
According to the group, despite poor and irregular power supply, Nigerians are still compelled to pay high electricity bills, further worsening the hardship faced by citizens.
The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its legal team, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo.
The organisation argued that the Auditor-General’s findings point to serious breaches of public trust, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and international anti-corruption standards.
