The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government at the ECOWAS Court of Justice over its failure to release the forensic audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The audit reportedly uncovers alleged mismanagement of ₦6 trillion in public funds.
In its legal action, SERAP accuses authorities of suppressing the findings and violating citizens' right to transparency. The group demands the immediate publication of the audit report, which was completed in 2021 but never made public despite promises by the administration.
"Withholding this crucial document denies Nigerians accountability for what may be one of the largest corruption cases in our history," said SERAP's legal team. "The government cannot keep citizens in the dark about how ₦6 trillion meant for regional development allegedly disappeared."
The lawsuit names multiple government bodies including the Attorney General's office and NDDC management. SERAP argues that continued secrecy violates both Nigerian laws and regional anti-corruption treaties.
This legal challenge comes amid growing frustration over stalled anti-graft efforts in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Civil society groups have joined calls for the report's release, questioning why findings remain hidden three years after the audit's completion.
The ECOWAS Court is expected to schedule hearings soon, in a case that could set important precedents for government transparency in West Africa. Observers say the outcome may determine whether Nigeria's anti-corruption rhetoric translates into concrete action.
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