The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and President Bola Tinubu to immediately enforce a court ruling directing them to publish the names of individuals implicated in the alleged misappropriation of N6 trillion by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The funds in question were reportedly intended for the execution of 13,777 abandoned projects and the operational activities of the NDDC between 2000 and 2019.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, through Justice Gladys Olotu, delivered the judgment on November 10, 2025, following a Freedom of Information suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021) filed by SERAP. The court also ordered that the NDDC forensic audit report, submitted to the federal government on September 2, 2021, be made publicly available.

In a letter dated December 13, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, warned that continued refusal to comply with the court order undermines Nigeria’s legal and judicial processes. “Section 287(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 provides that court decisions ‘shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.’ There is no exception,” the group stated.

SERAP further stressed that failure to enforce the judgment is a breach of the Nigerian Constitution and a direct assault on the rule of law. The organization warned that responsible officials could face contempt proceedings, including personal liability, for non-compliance.

The group emphasized that immediate publication of the names and the report would demonstrate the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and tackling longstanding corruption in the management of public funds. SERAP cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986), which affirmed that the government is legally bound to obey court orders.

The court ruling classified both the NDDC forensic audit report and the names of those indicted as public records under Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act. It held that the information is not exempt under Sections 11–19, as it concerns public funds management. SERAP noted that enforcement of the judgment would align with President Tinubu’s public commitments to improve welfare and address developmental challenges in the Niger Delta region.

SERAP concluded that if compliance is not achieved within seven days of receipt or publication of its letter, it may pursue contempt proceedings to compel adherence to the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law.