
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to reveal spending details of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) overdrafts and loans.
SERAP is also seeking an order from the court to compel Buhari to explain and clarify whether the $25billion overdraft reportedly taken from the CBN since May 29, 2015, is within the five per cent limit of the actual revenue of the government for 2020.
SERAP in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/559/2021 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, is also seeking the government to specify the purpose of any borrowing, including the economic and social benefits.
Joined as respondents are Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of CBN, and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.
The suit filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, partly reads: “Transparency and accountability in the spending of CBN overdrafts would also ensure that public funds are properly spent, reduce the level of public debt, and improve the ability of the government to invest in essential public goods and services.
No specific date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.