SERAP Drags Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, NBET To Court Over Alleged Missing ₦128bn Power Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over the alleged failure to account for ₦128 billion in public funds earmarked for the power sector.

SERAP disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

The suit, filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, followed allegations contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s report published on September 9, 2025.

In the action, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Minister of Power and NBET to account for what it described as “missing or diverted ₦128bn” from the Ministry of Power and NBET accounts.
The organisation is also asking the court to order the defendants to publicly disclose details of how the funds were spent, including dates of disbursement and the identities of contractors or beneficiaries who allegedly received the money.

Additionally, SERAP urged the court to compel the disclosure of the names, official designations and offices of all public officials involved in authorising or approving the release of the disputed funds.

According to SERAP, Nigerians continue to bear the consequences of alleged corruption in the electricity sector, particularly in the face of persistent grid collapses and unreliable power supply.

“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations,” the organisation stated.
SERAP argued that granting the reliefs sought would help address long-standing structural failures in the power sector and improve access to reliable electricity.

“Ordinary Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector  staying in darkness while being forced to pay exorbitant electricity bills,” the group said.
The suit was filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, and is largely based on findings from the Auditor-General’s 2022 audited report, which reportedly highlighted several financial irregularities involving the Ministry of Power and NBET.

SERAP also cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution and relevant international anti-corruption conventions, stressing that public institutions are legally obligated to ensure transparency, accountability and the prevention of corrupt practices.
No hearing date has been fixed for the case.