The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has taken 35 state governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to court over the handling of about ₦14 trillion said to be savings from the removal of fuel subsidy.
The civil society group said the funds came from higher monthly allocations shared by the Federation Account Allocation Committee after fuel subsidy was removed in May 2023. According to SERAP, despite the large sums received by states and the FCT, many Nigerians still lack access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and social support.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, asks the court to order the governors and the FCT minister to make public how the funds have been spent since mid-2023. The group is also seeking details of projects, if any, carried out with the money and the locations of such projects.
SERAP stated that FAAC shared about ₦28.78 trillion in 2024 alone from subsidy savings, a sharp rise from the previous year. It added that state allocations grew to over ₦5 trillion, with monthly distributions in 2025 crossing ₦1.6 trillion. Despite this increase, the organisation said many states still owe salaries and pensions, while others continue to borrow to meet basic obligations.
The group argued that Nigerians have the right to know how public funds are used, especially money meant to ease the impact of subsidy removal on poor and vulnerable citizens. It added that failure to account for the funds weakens public trust and allows misuse to continue unchecked.
SERAP relied on constitutional provisions, anti-corruption laws, and court rulings that allow public access to spending records. No hearing date has been fixed for the case.