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Floods: Group Drags Buhari To Court Over ‘Missing Ecological Funds’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari over “the failure to probe the spending of trillions of ecological funds by governments at all levels—federal, state and local governments from 2001 to date, and to ensure the prosecution of suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement of public funds.”
Joined in the suit as Respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The United Nations Children’s Fund recently said that no fewer than 600 persons died and 1.3 million were rendered homeless as a result of the floods that ravaged most states across the country, with the destruction of properties worth billions.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/2283/2022 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel President Buhari to promptly and thoroughly investigate the spending of Ecological Fund by governments at the Federal, state and local government levels from 2001 to date.”
READ ALSO: Trust TV: SERAP Drags Buhari To Court Over N5m Fine
SERAP is also asking the court to “direct and compel President Buhari to ensure that suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement of trillions of ecological funds are promptly brought to justice, and any missing public funds fully recovered.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “the failure to probe the alleged missing trillions, prosecute suspected perpetrators and recover any missing public funds is a fundamental breach of constitutional and international legal obligations.”
SERAP is also arguing that “impunity for corruption in the management of Ecological Fund will continue as long as high-ranking public officials go largely unpunished for their alleged crimes.”
According to SERAP, “It is in the public interest to direct and compel President Buhari to probe these allegations so that evidence can be taken before the court and the truth about the spending of ecological funds revealed, and justice served.”
SERAP is also arguing that “the Federal Government has violated the obligations to protect and uphold the human rights of those affected, and to provide them with access to justice and effective remedies.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyer Kolawole Oluwadare read in part: “The Federal Government has the legal obligations to address the calamitous consequences of flooding for the human rights of millions of people, and to prevent and address the consequences that climate change may reap on human rights.”
“According to the audit of the Ecological Fund Office carried out by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the total amount received by the fund from December 2011 to November 2016 alone was N277 billion.”
“The operations of the Fund from 2012 to 2016 reportedly showed that some of the disbursements were not utilised for the purpose for which it was established. During these periods, N74,170,932,645.20 was released to State Governments to solve ecological problems in their States.”
“Although ecological funds are shared across the three tiers of government, and emergency management agencies, the funds are managed and supervised by the Federal Government.”
“The Federal Government has the legal obligations to prevent and address the threats to human rights that result from climate change, and to provide access to justice and effective remedies for victims when these rights are violated.”
“The Federal Government has a positive obligation to protect individuals against the threat posed to human rights by climate change, regardless of the causes, and to effectively address the aftermath of the flooding such as deterioration in health, diminishing access to safe drinking water and susceptibility to disease.”
“Climate change also has the potential to exacerbate existing threats to human rights in the country. Rising global temperatures will jeopardise many people’s livelihoods, increasing their vulnerability to poverty and social deprivation.”
“Many years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of Ecological Fund and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined the ability of governments at all levels and emergency management agencies to prevent the impact of flooding on the human rights vulnerable Nigerians.”
“Allegations of corruption and mismanagement have undermined the ability of authorities at all levels to invest in drainage systems, and to tackle soil erosion and climate change challenges across several parts of the country.”
“The funds released for ecological projects are characterised by mismanagement, diversion of funds, substandard and abandoned projects fully paid for. Ecological funds have also been allegedly spent for other purposes such as election campaigns and political patronage.”
“Prevention of corruption in the spending of the Ecological Fund, and preventing and addressing the challenges caused by climate change are serious and legitimate public interests.”
READ ALSO: NIN-SIM: SERAP Tackles FG Over Planned Blocking Of 72 Million Telephone Lines
“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the management of the Ecological Fund.”
“Nigerians have the right to know how the public funds budgeted to address ecological challenges are spent. Publishing the details of allocations of the Ecological Fund since 2001 would promote transparency, accountability, and reduce the risks of corruption in the spending of the funds.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
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News
Edo Assembly Invites Obaseki, Others For Questioning Over MOWAA
The controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and Radisson Hotel, remains unabated as Edo State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the matter has invited a former governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki for questioning.
A statement by Secretary of the Ad-hoc Committee, Bekisu Oshone, on Thursday, stated that the former governor and others are expected to appear on December 4, 2025.
Other persons invited by the committee are a former Edo Finance Commissioner, Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General of Edo State, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, MOWAA’s Director, Philip Iheanacho and Managing Director, Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.
READ ALSO:MOWAA Authorities Shun Edo Assembly Committee, Give Reason
According to her, others invited are Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Pramod Thorat, Managing Director, Afrinvest Capital Limited, Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited and
Managing Director, Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.
The statement reads: “The Edo State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee constituted to investigate the Museum of West African Arts and Radisson Hotel invites former Governor Godwin Obaseki and 10 others/organization (listed above) to appear before the committee for public hearing on December 4.”
She said attendance by Obaseki and others was required as part of the committee’s investigation.
The former governor and other invitees are expected to give insights into funding of the Radisson Hotel.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Revokes MOWAA Land Title
The MOWAA and Radisson Hotel were both conceptualized by Obaseki.
While first phase of the MOWAA has been completed, Radisson Hotel is near completion.
Recall that an exhibition at the museum turned chaotic on November 9 after angry protesters stormed the venue, forcing a high-profile event to shut down abruptly.
The preview opening, described as a private exhibition for investors, artists, and foreign envoys, quickly descended into panic when a mob claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin breached parts of the premises.
News
Police, PSC Set Up Committee To Recruit 30,000 New Officers
The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have set up a high-powered joint Ad-hoc Committee to drive the immediate commencement of the recruitment of 30,000 new officers.
The PSC disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, following the inauguration of the Ad-hoc Committee on Wednesday, 26th November, 2025 by the Chairman, Police Service Commission DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd) at the Police Service Commission Corporate Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
The establishment of the committee followed the presidential directive to bolster the numerical strength of the NPF and enhance national security.
According to the statement, the primary mandate of the Joint Ad-hoc Committee is to collaborate and brainstorm on creating a seamless, transparent, and efficient recruitment process.
READ ALSO:PSC Reviews Disciplinary Cases, Reinstates Dismissed Police Officers
It added that the committee will work to ensure the exercise is conducted with the highest standards of integrity and merit.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, who was represented by DIG (Bar) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), said that “the collaboration is crucial for a successful exercise”.
Lakanu, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Police Force Matters Committee, PSC reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the recruitment is fair and based on established guidelines.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, was represented at the event by CP Edwin Eloho of the Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters.
READ ALSO:Four Suspected Robbers Killed In Gunfight With Police In Delta
Egbetokun emphasised the importance of the recruitment in strengthening the police force’s capacity to serve and protect the citizens of Nigeria.
The IGP affirmed the NPF’s full cooperation with the PSC to ensure the timely and successful achievement of this national objective.
“The inauguration of this committee marks a critical step forward in the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing security challenges and improving the police-to-citizen ratio across the country,” he said.
The PSC is the Federal Executive Body empowered to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force, except the IGP.
READ ALSO:Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra
The NPF is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It is designated to, amongst others, prevent and detect crime, protect lives and property, and maintain public order and safety.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday presided over a high-level security meeting with Nigeria’s top military and intelligence chiefs at the State House, Abuja, as the administration intensified efforts to confront emerging and persistent security threats across the country.
The closed-door session was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who shared updates via his X handle, @DOlusegun.
READ ALSO:FCT Police Reacts To Alleged Assassination Attempt On Naval Officer Yerima
The Service Chiefs in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Kennedy Aneke, as well as IGP Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Service.
The appointments of the new Service Chiefs, announced by President Tinubu in October 2025, form part of a broader effort to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture.
Also present was Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who continues to serve as Chief of Defence Intelligence, alongside other senior security advisers and heads of relevant agencies.
News
Guinea-Bissau Coup: FG Gives Update On Ex-President Jonathan
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, is safe and has left Guinea-Bissau following the military takeover that disrupted the country’s electoral process, the Federal Government confirmed on Thursday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told journalists in Abuja that Jonathan departed on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas,” he said.
Jonathan had been in the country as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, monitoring the presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday. The military seized control before official results were announced.
READ ALSO:Coup In Guinea-Bissau? Soldiers Deployed Near Presidential Palace After Gunfire
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Jonathan, alongside Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, and Issifu Kamara, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, condemned the coup as a direct attempt to disrupt Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process. The statement called for calm and reaffirmed support for the country during the crisis, stressing the need to preserve peace and stability.
The Federal Government also condemned the military action, describing it as an unconstitutional change of government that violated the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
The crisis escalated on Wednesday when military officers declared “total control” of Guinea-Bissau, closed its borders, and suspended electoral activities.
Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, and key access routes were blocked. General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.”
READ ALSO:Gabon Votes In First Presidential Election Since 2023 Coup
Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo later confirmed in a phone call with France24 that he had been deposed, while opposition candidate Fernando Dias also claimed victory in Sunday’s elections. The military claimed it had uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and the importation of weapons “to alter the constitutional order.”
Jonathan and other election observers had been temporarily trapped in the country as outgoing flights were suspended. While he remained in Guinea-Bissau, his spokesperson confirmed he was unharmed and maintaining contact with colleagues. Jonathan and fellow African leaders condemned the intervention and urged the immediate release of detained electoral officials so that the process could be concluded.
The joint statement from Jonathan and the observer missions urged the African Union and ECOWAS to act swiftly to restore constitutional order and called on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, emphasising the importance of safeguarding peace, stability, and public welfare during the period of uncertainty.
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