SERAP Gives Tinubu 7-Day To Probe Alleged ₦6.79bn Police Fund Diversion

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to probe allegations that more than ₦6.79 billion was diverted and remains unaccounted for within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.

According to the organisation, the allegations are contained in the 2021 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.

In a letter dated Saturday, August 1 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the President to mandate the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, as well as relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate those implicated in the allegations.

SERAP also called for the recovery of all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition allegedly identified in the Auditor-General’s report, while insisting that anyone found culpable should face prosecution.

“The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition,” SERAP said.

The organisation said the audit uncovered multiple financial irregularities, including payments for projects allegedly never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract sums, procurement violations, unretired cash advances, unresolved insurance claims and payments for services that were not rendered.

It added that the report also identified lapses in the handling of police firearms and exhibits, including missing weapons and ammunition, poor record-keeping, unauthorised release of exhibits and inadequate storage systems, warning that such failures could pose significant threats to public safety and national security.

Among the cases highlighted, SERAP cited the alleged payment of ₦499.9 million for the construction of Phase II of a Police College in Bashar, Plateau State, which the Auditor-General reportedly found had not been executed. Similar allegations were made regarding rehabilitation projects in Abuja and Kaduna State that were allegedly paid for but not completed.

The organisation further cited audit findings indicating that 42 firearms and 737 rounds of live ammunition received into the armoury of the FCT Police Command between 2021 and 2022 were not returned. It also alleged that some recovered firearms, vehicles and other exhibits were converted for operational use or released without proper authorisation.

SERAP also pointed to allegations that more than ₦681 million paid through insurance brokers to settle beneficiaries’ claims was not disbursed, while insurance liabilities exceeding ₦1 billion remained outstanding.

It further alleged that the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs was cited for procurement irregularities involving contracts for bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, troop carriers and patrol vehicles, as well as payments for training programmes and security allowances without adequate documentation or compliance with due process.

The organisation gave the Federal Government seven days to respond to its demands, warning that it would pursue legal action should the authorities fail to act within the stipulated period.

SERAP maintained that the Constitution places a duty on the government to combat corruption and ensure accountability, arguing that addressing the allegations is necessary to protect public resources and strengthen confidence in public institutions.