SERAP sues Federal Government at ECOWAS Court over N78.8bn cash-transfer scandal

SERAP has sued the Nigerian Federal Government at the ECOWAS Court over alleged irregularities involving more than ₦78.8 billion allocated to cash-transfer and social protection programmes. Citing the Auditor-General’s 2024 report, the organisation points to ₦33.751 billion in transfers lacking adequate payment and beneficiary records, ₦36.744 billion in payments allegedly made without prepayment audits, and ₦4.616 billion in unsupported expenditure. SERAP is seeking a verifiable account of the funds, an independent investigation, recovery of any misused money and action against those responsible, subject to due process. It argues that the alleged failures could undermine vulnerable households’ rights to social security and an adequate standard of living.