The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria faces intense scrutiny following fresh allegations of significant financial irregularities involving an estimated ₦55.9 billion. These funds were reportedly allocated for the procurement of essential materials for the 2019 general elections, including smart card readers and ballot papers. A prominent civil society organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has demanded an urgent explanation from INEC’s new Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, regarding the whereabouts and accountability of these substantial public funds.

SERAP’s demand, articulated in a letter dated December 6, 2025, stems from critical findings detailed in the Auditor-General’s latest annual report, which was published on September 9, 2025. The rights group contends that the report raises profound questions about the transparency and integrity of the electoral body’s financial operations. SERAP has specifically called for INEC to identify all contractors who received these funds, disclose their directors, and provide their registered addresses, emphasising the public’s right to full disclosure regarding the use of taxpayer money.

The Auditor-General’s report outlines several transactions that appear to contravene established procurement laws and financial regulations. Among the most striking revelations is the payment of over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for smart card readers. Auditors found no verifiable records to prove that these critical election items were ever supplied. Furthermore, the contract reportedly lacked the mandatory approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council, casting serious doubt on its legality and execution.

INEC reportedly attempted to justify the absence of proper approvals by citing “national security” matters, an explanation swiftly rejected by the Auditor-General. The audit office asserted that such an excuse holds no legal basis under the existing Procurement Act. Expressing grave concerns over potential diversion of funds, the Auditor-General has explicitly directed that the ₦5.3 billion be immediately retrieved and returned to the national treasury, underscoring the severity of the alleged breach.

Further irregularities highlighted in the audit report include payments exceeding ₦4.5 billion disbursed to six different contractors for the supply of ballot papers and result sheets. Similar to the smart card reader contract, auditors found no concrete evidence to confirm the actual delivery of these vital election materials. The report also pointed to a complete lack of competitive bidding processes, no proof of the companies’ eligibility, and the absence of “No Objection” certificates from the BPP, indicating systemic failures in procurement oversight.

The audit also scrutinised other “doubtful” payments totalling ₦331 million, where supporting documentation was found to be contradictory. One notable instance involved a contract for 25 generating sets, where payment receipts were allegedly issued several months before the contract itself was officially signed, raising serious questions about the sequence and legitimacy of the transactions. These discrepancies further compounded concerns about the commission’s adherence to financial protocols.

In a broader defence, INEC attributed some of these violations to urgent decisions made to avert a potential constitutional crisis during the 2019 elections. However, auditors deemed this explanation insufficient, reiterating their demand for the recovery of all unaccounted funds. This stance suggests that while urgency might explain some procedural shortcuts, it does not absolve the commission from ensuring the delivery of goods and services for which public funds were disbursed.

The Auditor-General’s report additionally flagged the non-deduction of over ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties from contractor payments between 2018 and 2019, a clear violation of financial regulations. INEC claimed it had not received any circular mandating such deductions, but this defence was dismissed by auditors who insisted on the immediate refund of these funds. Moreover, the audit revealed that cash advances exceeding ₦630 million issued to several officers remained unretired, with some officials reportedly receiving new advances despite outstanding previous ones.

Concerns also extended to the procurement of printed election materials valued at over ₦41 billion. The audit report alleged that these contracts were awarded to companies lacking a proven track record in printing, with some identified as construction firms or oil and gas companies, directly contradicting financial regulations governing procurement. Additionally, the commission reportedly purchased four Toyota Land Cruisers for ₦297 million, with each unit priced significantly above the 2019 market value, and these contracts were allegedly signed without mandatory approvals.

SERAP has issued a stark warning that if these allegations are ignored, public trust in INEC could be severely eroded, consequently weakening confidence in Nigeria’s future electoral processes. The organisation has called for the immediate referral of the matter to appropriate anti-corruption bodies for thorough investigation and potential prosecution of any individuals found culpable. SERAP has given INEC a seven-day ultimatum to take decisive action, failing which it threatens to pursue legal measures to compel compliance and ensure accountability.

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Keywords: INEC probe, Nigeria election funds, Auditor-General report, SERAP investigation, Smart card reader procurement, Ballot paper contracts, Election materials accountability, N55.9 billion missing funds