…Demands open records, warns of legal action over misuse of public funds

…Urges EFCC, ICPC to investigate opaque disbursements

…Says failure to respond will trigger nationwide legal challenge

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all 36 state governors in Nigeria, demanding full public disclosure of how security votes have been utilised since May 29, 2023, or face legal consequences.

In letters dated June 28, 2025, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, the group accused governors of hiding under the guise of national security to engage in unaccountable and unconstitutional spending.

“There is no legal or constitutional justification for withholding basic information on how public funds are spent,” SERAP stated.

SERAP cited official figures showing that in 2021 alone, over N375 billion was allocated as security votes to governors and local government chairmen. Yet, insecurity continues to deteriorate, with the recent Benue State massacre and other killings across Nigeria reinforcing the urgency of their demand.

Referencing Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, the organisation declared that the persistent secrecy and mismanagement of security votes represent a gross violation of public trust.

SERAP called on both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch joint investigations and monitoring of state-level security vote expenditures, warning that misuse of the funds has deepened poverty, hunger, and human rights violations.

“This culture of impunity has reduced security votes to personal slush funds. The result is national instability and loss of public confidence,” the group said.

SERAP warned that any governor who fails to respond within seven days of receiving or being served the FOI letter will face litigation to compel disclosure under Nigerian law.

“The Supreme Court has affirmed that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government. Governors can no longer hide behind excuses,” the letter stated.

Quoting Section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP reminded governors that they are obligated to abolish all forms of corruption and abuse of office  including through discretionary and untracked funds.
Citing recent data from the World Bank,

SERAP noted that Nigeria has now been officially categorised among 39 countries in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS).

The group linked this international classification to decades of opaque security funding, bad governance, and administrative secrecy, stating that millions now face acute hunger, poverty, and collapse in education and healthcare.

SERAP called for an honest national conversation on the role and real impact of security votes in addressing insecurity.

“Governors must stop treating public funds as personal assets. Disclosure will rebuild public trust and drive more effective responses to insecurity,,”it added.