Court Directs Tinubu to Release List of Those Involved in N6 Trillion NDDC Misappropriation

President Bola Tinubu is required by a consequential order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to make public the names of those accused of embezzling more than ₦6 trillion that was supposedly used for 13,777 abandoned projects and the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) operations between 2000 and 2019.

On Monday, November 10, Justice Gladys Olotu rendered the historic ruling in response to a Freedom of Information lawsuit brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). Last Friday, the certified authentic copy of the ruling was acquired.

The NDDC forensic audit report was submitted to the Federal Government on September 2, 2021, but it has not yet been made public. The court ordered the President to guarantee its full release in addition to naming the persons implicated.

The judge decided that disclosing the report to the public is in the best interests of accountability and openness, particularly considering the amount of money that was purportedly embezzled during the review period.

Following several requests for accountability in the administration of NDDC projects, SERAP filed the case, FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021, in 2021.

According to Justice Olotu’s ruling, “the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic audit report, as well as the names of persons indicted therein, clearly fall within the definition of ‘public records’ as contained in Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act.”

Additionally, Justice Olotu ruled that “because the information relates to the use and management of public funds, the NDC forensic audit report and the names of persons indicted therein are not exempted under Sections 11-19.”

“The refusal of the president and the Attorney General to publish the audit report or act on the allegations therein, despite formal demand by SERAP constitutes a breach of their statutory duties under the Freedom of Information Act, Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and Nigeria’s international obligations to promote transparency and accountability,” added Justice Olotu.

“Section 2(3) of the Freedom of Information Act mandates all public institutions to cause to be published certain categories of information, including details of finances and expenditures,” according to a portion of Justice Olotu’s ruling.

“In accordance with these principles, the president is clearly required by the Freedom of Information Act to make the NDDC forensic audit report publicly available and to publish the names of those indicted in the report.”

“It is standard procedure for SERAP to establish (a) a clear legal right to the performance of a duty, (b) a corresponding duty on the part of the president and the Attorney General to perform that duty, (c) a demand for the performance of the duty, and (d) a refusal or neglect to perform same.”

“Everyone has the right to access information in the custody of any public official or institution, and such institution is required by law to grant access, unless the information is covered by the narrow exemptions outlined in Sections 11–19 of the Act.”

“This groundbreaking judgment is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds,” stated Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP.

“Justice Olotu’s ruling highlights the critical need for the Tinubu administration to take the initiative to guarantee accountability and transparency for the N6 trillion that was supposed to be used to carry out the abandoned projects in the Niger Delta.”

“We urge President Bola Tinubu to promptly comply with the court orders, and we commend Justice Olotu for her bravery and wisdom.”

“SERAP deserves the commendation of all well-meaning people who have agonized over reports of systemic corruption in Nigeria,” stated Femi Falana (SAN) in response to the ruling.

This is one of Nigeria’s most patriotic public interest lawsuits to date. The public’s right to know the precise fate of the N6 trillion oil money detailed in the NDDC forensic audit report has been preserved by this historic ruling, which I applaud.

As mandated by the court, the Tinubu administration must now show a genuine commitment to accountability and openness by promptly releasing the NDDC forensic audit findings and the identities of those charged. The proceeds of corruption should be thoroughly recovered, and anyone suspected of being at fault should be prosecuted.

Delaying the implementation of Justice Olotu’s ruling would be detrimental to the nation’s efforts to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law. The period for keeping the names of persons charged in the investigation and the report itself confidential is over.

“We urge you to demonstrate your expressed commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court,” the organization wrote in a letter dated November 22, 2025, addressed to President Bola Tinubu and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP.

“We urge you to direct the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over N6 trillion meant to implement 13,777 projects and in the running of the NDDC between 2000 and 2019,” stated a portion of SERAP’s letter.

“SERAP calls on you to put the past behind you and take immediate action that shows your dedication to the rule of law, accountability, and openness in the governance processes.

“SERAP is certain that you will view adherence to this ruling as a crucial component of the rule of law and a necessary first step in building a fundamental institutional framework for legality and constitutionality. As a result, we anticipate your favorable reaction and action about the ruling.

In November 2021, SERAP filed lawsuit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021, requesting the release of the NDDC audit report and the names of persons accused of embezzling more than ₦6 trillion from the NDDC’s operations between 2000 and 2019.

“The missing ₦6 trillion and over 13,000 abandoned projects in the Niger Delta have continued to have a negative impact on the human rights of Nigerians, undermining their access to basic public goods and services, such as education, healthcare, and regular and uninterrupted electricity supply,” the lawsuit stated in part.

Justice Olotu issued the following mandamus orders against the federal government: “AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the 1st Respondent to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to widely publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over N6, Trillion Naira in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019, as documented in the submitted Forensic Audit Report.

“AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the First Respondent to publish and make available to the public the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Forensic Audit Report that was submitted to him on September 2, 2021.”