A Federal High Court has ordered the Federal Ministry of Finance to disclose details of payments and contractors linked to the 460 million dollar Abuja CCTV project, following a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The court directed the ministry to reveal the identities of local and Chinese contractors involved in the National Public Security Communication System project, popularly known as the Abuja CCTV project, as well as the total amount paid under the loan arrangement.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on May 15, 2023, also ordered the disclosure of the implementation status of the project and details of the reported N1.5 billion payment for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.
In a recent response to SERAP’s contempt proceedings, the Ministry of Finance said records from the Ministry of Police Affairs indicated that local subcontractors may have been engaged in the project, but detailed records identifying specific local companies that received funds directly from the Chinese loan were unavailable.
The ministry’s response was contained in a letter dated May 15, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr R.O. Omachi.
Reacting, SERAP, in a letter dated May 23, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, expressed concern over what it described as partial compliance with the court judgment.
According to SERAP, Nigerians still do not know the identities of local contractors involved in the project, raising concerns about transparency, accountability and record keeping.
The organisation noted that although the court judgment was delivered in 2023, some information was only released after contempt proceedings were initiated in January 2026.
SERAP also questioned the status of 6,035 items reportedly missing from the project inventory, asking whether the items were delivered, paid for, or if any steps were taken to recover public funds.
The group further demanded clarification on the number of CCTV cameras installed, their locations, operational status and whether the project delivered value for money.
It urged the ministry to fully comply with the court order by publishing the names of all Nigerian companies, subcontractors, consultants and vendors involved in the project, alongside details of payments and work executed.
SERAP warned that failure to provide the requested information within 48 hours could result in the continuation of contempt proceedings against the ministry.
The Abuja CCTV project was financed through a Chinese loan and was designed to improve security surveillance and public safety in the Federal Capital Territory.
