The Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Nigeria has filed a suit against the federal government concerning expenditure of recovered stolen funds. A freedom of information request was filed on 26th September in order to gain access to information held by government agencies or officials. The request seeks to establish the quantity of the recovered funds that have been spent, and the details of the projects that have been implemented.
SERAP is an NGO founded in 2004 designed to promote human rights through accountability and transparency in the public and private sectors. Corruption is systemic in Nigeria, which disenfranchises citizens and exaggerates inequalities that reduce potential for development. Nigeria returned to civilian government in 1999, after decades under military rule. However, corruption has remained prevalent, and recent national elections have been subject to international condemnation for allegations of violence and voter fraud.
By Matt Little
Read: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Nigeria (2011)