By Seun Ibiyemi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a seven-day ultimatum to order a comprehensive investigation into alleged financial mismanagement involving more than ₦6.79 billion within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, as well as the disappearance of firearms and ammunition flagged in the Auditor-General’s report.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the rights group urged the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations, recover missing public assets and prosecute anyone found culpable.
SERAP said the allegations, contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s Annual Report published on September 9, 2025, point to serious financial irregularities and abuse of public trust requiring immediate government action.
According to the organisation, the report detailed alleged payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract values, procurement irregularities, unretired cash advances and payments for services that were allegedly not rendered.
It added that the report also raised concerns over the suspected diversion and misapplication of more than ₦6.79 billion in public funds.
SERAP further expressed concern over allegations of missing firearms and ammunition, unauthorised release and use of police exhibits, poor accountability for recovered weapons and insecure storage of firearms, warning that such lapses pose significant threats to public safety and national security.
Among the cases highlighted was the alleged payment of ₦499.88 million in October 2022 for the construction of Phase II of the Police College in Bashar, Plateau State, which the Auditor-General reportedly found was never executed.
The organisation also cited another ₦12.93 million allegedly paid for the rehabilitation of Block B of the Department of Logistics and Supply building in Garki, Abuja, despite claims that the project was not carried out.
It further referenced an alleged ₦111.64 million payment for the construction of 12 one-bedroom transit camp apartments and rehabilitation of an administrative block at the Nigeria Police Force Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kudan, Kaduna State, which was also reportedly not executed.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report also alleged that contract costs were inflated through tax insertions exceeding ₦4 million, while contracts valued at more than ₦1.93 billion were abandoned before fresh contracts were awarded.
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The rights organisation also pointed to findings that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, alongside 737 rounds of live ammunition recorded in the armoury of the FCT Police Command between 2021 and 2022, were allegedly not returned.
It added that the report identified procurement irregularities involving ₦438.1 million for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and troop carriers, as well as questionable payments linked to insurance claims, training programmes, patrol vehicle procurement, public relations contracts and tax deductions.
SERAP warned that failure by the Federal Government to act within seven days would leave it with no option but to institute legal proceedings to compel compliance.
The organisation based its demand on Sections 14 and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which require the government to prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians and abolish corruption and abuse of office.
SERAP maintained that anyone found responsible for the alleged misconduct should be prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and other government assets should be recovered in the public interest.
