The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Federal High Court in Lagos for failing to disclose details of direct payments to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
The suit, numbered FHC/L/MSC/521/2025, follows a landmark Supreme Court judgment in July 2024, which ordered that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to democratically elected local councils, without interference from state governors.
SERAP is asking the court to compel the CBN to disclose all direct payments made to each local council since the ruling, including specific amounts and any disbursements to councils in Rivers State, along with explanations for such payments.
The group argues that public access to this information is essential for transparency, accountability, and ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court’s binding decision. It also contends that the CBN, as custodian of the Federation Account, should play a central role in upholding the rule of law.
According to SERAP, state governors continue to withhold council funds in defiance of the court’s ruling, undermining judicial authority and threatening local governance. The suit, filed by SERAP’s lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Oluwakemi Oni, warns that unchecked violations by governors could erode the CBN’s credibility and weaken constitutional governance.
