The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has dragged the 35 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to court over their alleged failure to account for about N14 trillion realised as fuel subsidy savings.
The Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation is also listed as a respondent in the suit.
According to SERAP, the governors and the FCT minister have received trillions of naira as increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, following the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023.
The organisation, however, alleged that the funds have not translated into improved access to quality healthcare, education and other basic services for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
SERAP said the suit, marked FHC/L/MSC/1424/2025, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The rights group is asking the court to order and compel the respondents to disclose details of how the increased FAAC allocations, described as fuel subsidy savings, have been utilised since mid-2023.
It is also seeking an order directing the governors and Wike to disclose the details of the spending of the increased FAAC allocations accrued from the removal of fuel subsidy, including the nature and locations of projects, if any, executed with the funds.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Valentina Adegoke, SERAP argued that the FAAC in 2024 distributed N28.78 trillion to the three tiers of government from the removal of petrol subsidy, representing a 79 per cent increase from the previous year.
It stated that allocations to state governments rose by 45.5 per cent to N5.22 trillion, while monthly distributions in 2025 have reportedly exceeded N1.6 trillion.
“However, despite the increased allocations of public funds to states and the FCT, millions of poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians have not benefited from the savings,” SERAP said.
The organisation noted that many states reportedly owe civil servants’ salaries and pensions, while several continue to borrow to meet salary obligations. It added that millions of Nigerians across several states and the FCT still lack access to basic public services.
SERAP further argued that years of alleged corruption, mismanagement of public funds by some state governments, and entrenched impunity have eroded public trust in governments at all levels.
According to the group, Nigerians have a right to know how public funds, including fuel subsidy savings, are spent by state governments and the FCT administration.
It stressed that the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy should be used solely for the benefit of poor and vulnerable Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the policy.
As of the time of filing this report, no date had been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate