The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to immediately release the identities of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and other entities that received payments under the National Public Security Communication System project in Abuja, commonly known as the $460 million Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Project.
Background of the Case
On May 15, 2023, the Federal High Court ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the $460 million Abuja CCTV loan, the identities of local and Chinese contractors who received the funds, the project implementation status, and details regarding the N1.5 billion reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.
Recently, the Federal Ministry of Finance responded to SERAP's contempt proceedings by stating that records from the Ministry of Police Affairs indicated that while local subcontractors may have been engaged, there was an absence of detailed subcontracting records identifying specific local companies that directly received funds from the Chinese loan. This disclosure was contained in a letter dated May 15, 2026, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, R.O. Omachi.
SERAP's Response
In a letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP expressed concern that although the judgment was delivered in May 2023, the ministry only released some information after contempt proceedings were initiated and a Notice to Show Cause was served in January 2026. SERAP argued that Nigerians still do not know the identities of the local contractors involved in the project, and the absence of such information raises serious concerns about record-keeping, transparency, and accountability, as well as whether the project was implemented in a manner consistent with the public interest.
The organisation stated that the details provided amounted to only partial compliance with the judgment delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, adding that key questions remained unanswered and further clarification was required to ensure full and effective compliance with the court order.
Unresolved Issues
SERAP acknowledged the steps taken by the ministry to provide some information concerning the Chinese loan drawdown, counterpart funding arrangements, and certain records relating to equipment deliveries connected with the project. However, the organisation maintained that there was still no explanation regarding the missing 6,035 items linked to the implementation status of the project.
“It remains unclear whether the items were subsequently delivered, whether payment was made for them, whether the contractor defaulted, whether Nigeria suffered any financial loss, and whether any steps were taken to recover public funds,” SERAP stated.
