The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government over the controversial $460 million Abuja CCTV project, demanding the immediate disclosure of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants and vendors linked to the deal.
SERAP’s fresh demand followed revelations by the Federal Ministry of Finance that it had no detailed records identifying local companies that benefited from funds tied to the Chinese-backed security project.
In a letter dated May 15, 2026 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, R.O. Omachi, the government admitted that although local subcontractors “may have been engaged,” there were no records showing specific Nigerian firms that directly received payments from the Chinese loan.
Reacting in a letter dated May 23, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP described the disclosure as partial compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered in May 2023 by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The organisation expressed concern that the Ministry only released limited information after contempt proceedings were initiated and a Notice to Show Cause served in January 2026.
“Nigerians still do not know the identities of local contractors involved in the project. The absence of this information raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability and record keeping,” SERAP stated.
The group warned that failure to fully comply with the court judgment could undermine the rule of law, weaken democratic accountability and deny citizens access to crucial information on public spending.
SERAP also queried the whereabouts of 6,035 project items reportedly undelivered under the contract, insisting that the government must explain whether payments were made for the missing equipment, whether contractors defaulted and whether any effort was made to recover public funds.
According to the Ministry, inventory records showed that 61,970 units of equipment — including GOTA phones, data cards, servers, LED monitors and communication infrastructure — were delivered out of an expected 68,005 units.
The Ministry further disclosed that the Federal Government received $399.5 million from the Export-Import Bank of China for the National Public Security Communication System project, while Nigeria contributed $70.5 million as counterpart funding.
SERAP, however, maintained that key questions remained unanswered, particularly regarding the actual installation and functionality of CCTV cameras across Abuja.
“The Ministry has failed to clarify how many cameras were installed, where they were installed, whether they are operational and whether the project delivered value for money,” the organisation said.
It added that Nigerians deserve full disclosure on how the borrowed funds were spent, especially amid worsening insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory and across the country.
The group urged the Federal Government to immediately publish the names of all Nigerian companies and consultants involved in the project, disclose payments made to each contractor and provide certificates of completion alongside details of the project’s implementation status.
SERAP warned that it would proceed with contempt proceedings against the Ministry of Finance if the requested information was not released within 48 hours.
SERAP Demands Full Disclosure of Beneficiaries in $460m Abuja CCTV Project
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government over the controversial $460 million Abuja CCTV project, demanding the immediate disclosure of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants and vendors linked to the deal.
SERAP’s fresh demand followed revelations by the Federal Ministry of Finance that it had no detailed records identifying local companies that benefited from funds tied to the Chinese-backed security project.
In a letter dated May 15, 2026 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, R.O. Omachi, the government admitted that although local subcontractors “may have been engaged,” there were no records showing specific Nigerian firms that directly received payments from the Chinese loan.
Reacting in a letter dated May 23, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP described the disclosure as partial compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered in May 2023 by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The organisation expressed concern that the Ministry only released limited information after contempt proceedings were initiated and a Notice to Show Cause served in January 2026.
“Nigerians still do not know the identities of local contractors involved in the project. The absence of this information raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability and record keeping,” SERAP stated.
The group warned that failure to fully comply with the court judgment could undermine the rule of law, weaken democratic accountability and deny citizens access to crucial information on public spending.
SERAP also queried the whereabouts of 6,035 project items reportedly undelivered under the contract, insisting that the government must explain whether payments were made for the missing equipment, whether contractors defaulted and whether any effort was made to recover public funds.
According to the Ministry, inventory records showed that 61,970 units of equipment — including GOTA phones, data cards, servers, LED monitors and communication infrastructure — were delivered out of an expected 68,005 units.
The Ministry further disclosed that the Federal Government received $399.5 million from the Export-Import Bank of China for the National Public Security Communication System project, while Nigeria contributed $70.5 million as counterpart funding.
SERAP, however, maintained that key questions remained unanswered, particularly regarding the actual installation and functionality of CCTV cameras across Abuja.
“The Ministry has failed to clarify how many cameras were installed, where they were installed, whether they are operational and whether the project delivered value for money,” the organisation said.
It added that Nigerians deserve full disclosure on how the borrowed funds were spent, especially amid worsening insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory and across the country.
The group urged the Federal Government to immediately publish the names of all Nigerian companies and consultants involved in the project, disclose payments made to each contractor and provide certificates of completion alongside details of the project’s implementation status.
SERAP warned that it would proceed with contempt proceedings against the Ministry of Finance if the requested information was not released within 48 hours.
