SERAP drags Adelabu, NBET to court over alleged N128bn missing funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over their alleged failure to account for N128 billion reportedly missing or diverted from the Ministry of Power and NBET.

The suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja following allegations contained in the Auditor-General’s 2025 annual report, published on September 9, 2025.

SERAP linked the alleged financial mismanagement to the recurring collapse of the national electricity grid, noting that Nigerians last week experienced the first grid collapse of 2026, which plunged the country into widespread darkness.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, filed at the weekend, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling Adelabu and NBET to provide a full account of the alleged missing or diverted N128 billion.

The organisation is also asking the court to order the respondents to disclose details of how the funds were spent, including dates of disbursement, names of beneficiaries or contractors, as well as their registered business names and addresses.

Additionally, SERAP wants the court to compel the disclosure of the full names, official positions and offices of all public officials who authorised, approved or participated in the release of the funds.

According to SERAP, Nigerians continue to bear the consequences of “widespread and grand corruption” in the power sector, stressing that there is a compelling public interest in ensuring transparency and accountability over the allegations.

The group argued that granting the reliefs sought would help curb corruption in the electricity sector, address the persistent failure of transmission infrastructure and improve access to reliable and uninterrupted power supply across the country.

SERAP further maintained that the court’s intervention would serve as a deterrent against impunity and ensure accountability for the alleged diversion of public funds meant to provide electricity to Nigerians.

The organisation lamented that ordinary citizens remain trapped in darkness due to corruption in the sector, while still being burdened with exorbitant electricity bills.

The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, who argued that the Auditor-General’s findings indicate a serious breach of public trust, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and international anti-corruption obligations.