SERAP Sues Power Minister Adelabu, NBET Over Alleged Missing ₦128bn

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET) over what it described as their failure to account for an alleged missing or diverted ₦128 billion in public funds.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP accused the defendants of violating constitutional provisions and international obligations by failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for the whereabouts of the funds reportedly unaccounted for in the Ministry of Power and NBET.

According to SERAP, the funds were meant for improving electricity generation, transmission, and distribution across the country but were either missing or diverted, contributing to Nigeria’s persistent power challenges. The organisation argued that the alleged mismanagement of the funds has negatively affected millions of Nigerians who continue to experience poor electricity supply.

SERAP is asking the court to compel Mr Adelabu and NBET to account for and recover the ₦128 billion, identify those responsible for any diversion, and ensure that the recovered funds are returned to the public treasury. The group also wants the court to order relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute anyone found culpable.

In a statement, SERAP stressed that transparency and accountability in the power sector are critical to addressing Nigeria’s electricity crisis, noting that public funds must be managed in a manner that serves the interest of citizens.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Minister of Power nor NBET has publicly responded to the lawsuit.

The case adds to growing scrutiny of Nigeria’s power sector, which has faced long-standing challenges despite significant government spending over the years.