SERAP sues Buhari over failure to publish names of alleged looters of N6tr NDDC funds

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Muhammadu Buhari and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

It accused the duo of failure to publish names of persons indicted in alleged misappropriation of over N6 trillion meant for running Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019, as documented in the recent Forensic Audit Report on NDDC.

The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021), filed on behalf of SERAP by its counsel, Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, seeks an order of mandamus compelling Buhari to direct Malami and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to bring to justice anyone suspected of being responsible for the missing N6 trillion and recover any stolen public funds

It argued it is in the interest of the public to publish the names of the indicted and ensure they face prosecution. It said this outweighs any considerations to withhold the information, as there would be no prejudice against those whose names are published, as long as the information is appropriately framed and truthful.

It also argued that the Buhari administration has legal obligations under Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

The suit, assigned to Justice Binta Nyako at Court 2, will be heard November 29, 2021.