A notable rights group – Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability (SERAP) – has asked the federal High Court in Lagos to issue an order of mandamus compelling President Muhammadu Buhari to probe allegations of misappropriation of security votes by State governors since 1999.
SERAP is also asking the court to compel President Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to ensure all indicted persons are prosecuted.
In the suit, the civil society organisation argued that if the order is granted it would force the federal government to probe the spending, ensure accountability, and improve the ability of the government to deliver on the promises to ensure the security of Nigerians and to keep them safe.
SERAP also maintained that it is in the interest of justice to grant this application because ending impunity over allegations of corruption in the spending of security votes and recovering any mismanaged public funds are matters of public interest.
The organisation also insisted that the responsibility to guarantee and ensure the security and welfare of Nigerians are interlinked with the responsibility under Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended] to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.”
It also argued that the law imposes a fundamental obligation on the government to ensure accountability for the spending of security votes by state governors.