The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a landmark lawsuit against Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over their alleged failure to account for the spending of approximately ₦14 trillion in fuel subsidy savings.
SERAP in a statement posted on its X page on Sunday said the suit, marked FHC/L/MSC/1424/2025, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
It follows the persistent failure of state executives and the FCT Minister to disclose details regarding the increased allocations they have received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023.
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According to SERAP, while FAAC allocations to states and the FCT have surged significantly—reportedly exceeding ₦1.6 trillion monthly in 2025—there has been no corresponding improvement in public services.
The organisation argues that these funds have not translated into better healthcare, quality education, or poverty alleviation for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
Instead, reports suggest that many states continue to owe salaries and pensions while allegedly spending public funds on “lavish lifestyles,” including exotic bulletproof cars and unnecessary foreign travels.
“Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds, including fuel subsidy savings, are spent by the governors and FCT minister,” SERAP stated in its court filing.
“Opacity in the spending of these funds continues to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of citizens.”
The suit, filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Valentina Adegok, asked the court to order full disclosure by the governors and Wike of the exact details of how fuel subsidy savings had been spent since mid-2023.
It also sought an order compelling them to provide specific locations and completion reports for any projects claimed to have been executed with the increased allocations.
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In addition, the suit requested that the court ensure the subsidy savings were used exclusively for the benefit of poor Nigerians who had borne the brunt of the subsidy removal.
SERAP contends that the right to know is a cornerstone of democracy and essential for accountability.
The organisation also cited a “groundbreaking” Supreme Court judgment which affirmed that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act applies to public records across the Federation, including those held by state governments.
“Transparency in the spending of the money would help to avoid a morally repugnant result of double jeopardy on Nigerians,” the organization argued, noting that citizens should not suffer the pain of subsidy removal without seeing the promised developmental benefits.
The statement, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare emphasised that the lawsuit is a necessary step to combat the “corruption epidemic” and restore public trust in governance at all levels.
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