Monday, August 3, 2026 -The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into allegations that more than N6.79bn in public funds was diverted, misapplied or remains unaccounted for within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The organisation urged the President to direct the Attorney
General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and relevant anti-corruption
agencies to investigate the allegations contained in the Auditor-General of the
Federation’s Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by its Deputy
Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said those found responsible should face
prosecution, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be
recovered.
SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible, including
contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report, should be
promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition
should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
The organisation described the Auditor-General’s findings as
a serious breach of public trust.
According to the letter, “The Auditor-General’s findings
suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about
corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and
ammunition.”
It added that the report also exposed concerns over missing
firearms, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, poor
record-keeping and insecure storage of weapons.
SERAP warned that the alleged diversion of funds meant for
policing, abandoned security projects and missing firearms could further worsen
insecurity across the country.
It said, “The diversion of funds meant for policing,
abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of
police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police
Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening
insecurity.”
The rights group gave the Federal Government seven days to
act on its demands or face legal action.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken
within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider
appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request
in the public interest,” the letter stated.
SERAP argued that its request was backed by the
Constitution.
It said, “Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999
(as amended) requires the State to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of
power, while Section 14 recognises that the security and welfare of the people
shall be the primary purpose of government.”
Citing the Auditor-General’s report, SERAP alleged that the
Nigeria Police Force paid hundreds of millions of naira for projects that were
never executed, including the construction of a Police College in Bashar,
Plateau State, rehabilitation works in Abuja and housing projects in Kaduna
State.
The report also alleged that contract sums were inflated,
over N1.9bn was paid for abandoned projects, and several newly awarded
contracts could not be traced.
SERAP further highlighted findings that 42 firearms and 737
rounds of ammunition booked into the FCT Police Command armoury were never
returned, raising fears that the weapons may have been lost or fallen into the
wrong hands.
The organisation also pointed to allegations that police
exhibits, including firearms, vehicles, laptops and cash, were released or
converted to operational use without due authorisation, while several recovered
exhibits were either missing from official records or could not be accounted
for.
According to the report, the Police Force also allegedly
failed to prepare its 2022 financial statements, granted unretired cash
advances exceeding approved limits, engaged in irregular payments, failed to
destroy obsolete firearms and improperly documented the loss of operational
animals.
SERAP also drew attention to alleged procurement
irregularities within the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including
contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira awarded without due diligence,
payments made without supporting documents, irregular security allowance
payments and questionable procurement of patrol vehicles and security
equipment.
The organisation further cited findings that over N681m paid
to insurance brokers for beneficiaries’ claims was allegedly not disbursed,
while insurance policy obligations exceeding N1bn remained unsettled.
It also referenced allegations that the Police Public
Relations Office awarded contracts worth over N57m without competitive bidding
and failed to deduct more than N7.7m in withholding tax and value-added tax,
which the Auditor-General feared might have been diverted.
SERAP maintained that those responsible for the alleged
financial and administrative irregularities should be held accountable in line
with the law, while all missing public assets should be recovered.
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