The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission over the alleged mismanagement of N55.9bn intended for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.

The allegations, highlighted in the Auditor-General’s latest annual report published on 9 September 2025, accuse INEC of failing to properly account for funds disbursed to contractors, with several payments allegedly made without supporting documentation or proper approvals.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking a court order to compel INEC to disclose details of the missing funds, including the names of all contractors, their directors, and shareholders, as well as to recover the money.

According to SERAP, the commission’s failure to uphold transparency and accountability undermines Nigerians’ right to free and fair elections.

“INEC cannot ensure impartial administration of future elections if these allegations are not satisfactorily addressed, perpetrators prosecuted, and proceeds of corruption recovered,” the organisation said.

The Auditor-General’s report raises serious concerns about multiple irregularities.

Over N5.3 billion was reportedly paid to a contractor for smart card readers without approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement or the Federal Executive Council and without evidence of delivery.

INEC claimed the procurement fell under national security, a justification the Auditor-General rejected. Payments exceeding N4.5bn to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets lacked documentation, including evidence of bid processes and contractor eligibility.

Additional questionable payments include N331m for various contracts, N41bn for printing of election materials without due process, and N297m for four Toyota Land Cruisers, far exceeding market prices.

The commission also reportedly failed to retire over N630m in cash advances to officers and neglected to deduct over N2.1bn in stamp duties from contractors.

SERAP’s legal team, led by Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, argues that the allegations represent a “grave violation of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.”

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.

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Solicitors acting for renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, have written to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, over the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.

This comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed the suspension of the anaesthesiologist at the clinic as probes continue into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, solicitors acting for Chimamanda and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, alleged that the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical personnel breached the duty of care owed to their son, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

The notice was issued on behalf of the parents by PINHEIRO LP and signed by the founding partner, Prof Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).

According to the notice, the child was referred to the hospital on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for a series of diagnostic and preparatory procedures. These included an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), and a lumbar puncture.

The procedures were reportedly part of preparations for an imminent medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist medical team was said to be on standby to receive him.

The solicitors stated that intravenous sedation was administered using propofol.

However, during transportation to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory following the MRI procedure, the child allegedly developed sudden and severe complications.

Despite being under sedation, he was said to have been transferred between clinical areas under conditions that raised “serious and substantive concerns” about compliance with patient-safety protocols.

He was later pronounced dead in the early hours of January 7, 2026.

The legal notice outlines multiple alleged lapses in paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care.

These include concerns about the appropriateness and cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, and an alleged failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring.

The parents further alleged that their son was transferred without supplemental oxygen, without adequate monitoring, and without sufficient accompanying medical personnel.

They also raised concerns over the availability of basic resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular compromise, and an overall failure to comply with established paediatric anaesthesia, patient-transfer, and safety protocols.

Another major grievance cited was the alleged failure of the hospital to adequately disclose the risks and potential side effects of propofol and other anaesthetic agents, thereby undermining the legal requirement for informed consent.

According to the solicitors, these alleged lapses amount to prima facie breaches of the duty of care and render the hospital and all medical personnel involved liable for medical negligence resulting in the child’s death.

As part of their next legal steps, the parents demanded certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s treatment within seven days of receipt of the notice.

The requested documents include admission notes, consent forms, pre-anaesthetic assessments, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, monitoring logs, procedural notes, nursing observations, ICU records, incident reports, and the identities of all medical staff involved.

The demand also covers internal reviews, safety logs from the MRI suite, and any other documentation connected to the child’s care.

The hospital was also formally placed on notice to preserve all relevant evidence, whether physical or electronic.

This includes CCTV footage from procedure rooms and corridors, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy and drug inventory records, crash-cart and emergency equipment logs, as well as internal communications and any morbidity and mortality reviews.

The solicitors warned that “any destruction, alteration, or loss of such evidence after receipt of this letter shall be regarded as suppression or concealment of evidence and obstruction of the course of justice, and will be relied upon accordingly, with attendant legal consequences.”

The letter concluded with a warning that failure or refusal by the hospital to comply with the demands within the stipulated timeframe would leave the parents with no option but to pursue all available legal, regulatory, and judicial remedies against the hospital and all medical personnel involved.

Doctor suspended

Euracare Hospital had noted in a Saturday statement that it had commenced “a detailed investigation” into the incident in line with its clinical governance standards and best practices, while pledging to engage transparently and responsibly with all relevant clinical and regulatory processes.

In the same vein, the Lagos State Government on Saturday said it began an investigation into the incident, vowing to ensure the full weight of the law is applied.

Giving an update on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, told The PUNCH in a telephone interview that the doctor involved in the child’s procedure had been suspended by the hospital’s management, noting that the hospital was cooperating with the government in the investigation.

Ogunyemi said, “It’s an active investigation. We started yesterday (Saturday). We’ve been there (at the clinic), and I can tell you it’s a continuous investigation. The hospital itself is also doing its own internal investigation, and as far as we know, the anaesthesiologist involved has been suspended by the hospital.

“So we will do our normal investigation. This is what we do for everybody; unless we don’t hear about it, then there is nothing we can do. People report, and we investigate.

“It’s just that this one has been in the media; that’s why we are making pronouncements. This is what the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency is designed for.

“This has been in the public arena because she is a public person, and it’s very unfortunate. She is a popular and loved person, and we are doing our best. But the hospital is also doing its own internal investigation, and as far as I know, they have suspended the doctor involved.

“They are all coming to us tomorrow (Monday) for continuous interviews, and hopefully we’ll get somewhere. Just like our statement said, we will be transparent and use experts as well. There is a protocol we follow,” the SA told our correspondent.

Family doctor protests

The family doctor and the deceased’s aunt, Dr Anthea Nwandu, faulted the Euracare hospital management over its statement relating to the circumstances of Nnamdi’s death.

While the hospital stressed that it followed standard procedures in its operations, Dr Nwandu, in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday, disagreed.

According to the clinic, the deceased, who was critically ill, was referred to Euracare for “specific diagnostic procedures” after spending more than a week receiving treatment at two paediatric facilities.

The hospital explained that upon his arrival, its medical team immediately provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation where medically indicated.

It added that the hospital worked closely with external medical teams recommended by the family and ensured that all required clinical support was provided throughout the period of care.

“Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility,” it noted.

However, Nwandu, who identified herself as a dual board-certified Internal Medicine physician with 30 years of global clinical experience in Nigeria and the United States, refuted the claim that the child had been taken to two clinics before arriving at Euracare.

“This is false. He was in one hospital before coming to Euracare for the procedures,” she said.

She added that international standards demand that “a child on oxygen, who is given sedation, must have continuous oxygen therapy. Did Euracare do this? No. They confirmed this verbally to me when I went to the hospital to question the doctors.

“International standards demand that the child should have continuous monitoring of oxygen levels in his blood. Did Euracare do this? No.

“International standards demand continuous monitoring of pulse and respiration. Did Euracare do this? No.

“International standards demand that when moving the child from one part of the hospital to another, the child must be accompanied by resuscitative equipment in case he stops breathing (a known risk of anaesthesia). This can easily be done with a simple apparatus called an ambu bag. Did Euracare do this? No.”

The aunt claimed that because there was no monitoring, it was impossible to accurately document when the child stopped breathing or how long he was pulseless before resuscitation.

“Is it an international standard for an anaesthesiologist to carry a child post-sedation on his shoulder, unable to visually see the child, with absolutely no monitoring, while insisting that he alone would be in the elevator with the child? No. To transfer the child to the ICU, the anaesthesiologist disconnected his oxygen and again carried him on his shoulder. Is that standard practice? No.”

Nwandu said the child was medically stable and had been booked for a scheduled medical evacuation flight to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore when the alleged negligence occurred.

There was outrage on social media after the popular writer on Saturday accused Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos of negligence leading to her son’s death.

Adichie said in a statement that her son, who was billed to be flown abroad for treatment, had developed what was initially thought to be a cold but later turned into “a very serious infection.”

She stated that upon arrival at the hospital on Tuesday, they were told her son would need to be sedated to prevent movement during the MRI and central line procedures.

However, she alleged that her son was not properly monitored after being administered an “excessive dose of propofol” by the hospital’s anaesthesiologist.

According to her, the situation quickly deteriorated, leading to loss of responsiveness, seizures, and cardiac arrest, which eventually resulted in his death on Wednesday.

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Lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have alleged that they uncovered a plot by certain individuals linked to the executive arm of the state government to obtain a court order preventing the legislature from performing its functions.

This comes as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ended his tour of the 23 local government areas of the state.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr Enemi George, said the alleged plot involved securing an ex parte order from a Rivers State High Court operating outside Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Last Thursday, the lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers, outlining multiple allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.

The allegations include extra-budgetary spending of over N800bn without legislative approval, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.

A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor for allegedly conniving in unconstitutional expenditures.

Amaewhule announced that the notices would be served on the governor and his deputy within seven days, in line with the Constitution.

The development marks a renewed escalation of the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Previous impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 were halted by presidential interventions, before a state of emergency was declared by President Bola Tinubu last March.

However, the House said in Sunday’s statement to journalists that the alleged attempt to halt the impeachment proceedings was dead on arrival, as it amounted to an effort to subvert the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The lawmakers described the alleged plot as illegal, saying it violated Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the Constitution, as well as existing judicial decisions of the Court of Appeal.

George said that instead of running from pillar to post, the office holders served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct should respond accordingly.

He said, “The Rivers State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilise some Rivers State High Courts, especially those outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to issue ex parte orders to illegally stop the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties.

“These persons are fully aware of the provisions of Section 272(3) of the Constitution, which states that, ‘subject to the provisions of Section 251 and other provisions of the Constitution, the Federal High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the question as to whether the term of office of a member of the House of Assembly of a state, governor or deputy governor has ceased or become vacant.’

“Also, Section 188(10) states that ‘no proceedings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court.’

“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter, especially recent decisions of the Court of Appeal involving similar ex parte orders by Rivers State High Courts contrary to Section 272(3) of the Constitution. A word is enough for the wise.”

The Assembly called on those behind the alleged move to exercise restraint and refrain from actions inimical to the Constitution.

The lawmakers added, “Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.

“All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the notices of allegations of gross misconduct to respond to them item by item, rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media.

“We remain committed to the Constitution and the rule of law, and may God bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has returned to Port Harcourt after a recent trip abroad.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that the governor travelled to France to meet with the President over the impeachment move, though the reports were not confirmed by official state sources.

On Sunday, the governor attended a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.

Also in attendance were his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and other senior government officials.

The service marked the first public appearance of Governor Fubara and his deputy since fresh impeachment proceedings were initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly last Thursday.

The latest move by the lawmakers is the third impeachment attempt against the governor in less than three years.

Despite the renewed political tension in the state, Governor Fubara and members of his administration have remained silent on the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against them by the Assembly.

Wike asserts grip

Following the development, accusations surfaced that Wike was the mastermind behind the impeachment move, recalling comments he made during his recent tour of local government areas in the state, where he described the governor as a “mistake” he planned to correct in 2027 — remarks later echoed by the Speaker.

“Siminalayi Fubara is a mistake; Rivers State has never had it this bad,” Amaewhule had said, also faulting the governor and his deputy for allegedly failing to submit the 2026 budget to the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Wike said political power was earned through strength and strategic interests, insisting that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area remained a decisive force in Rivers State politics.

Wike spoke during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Sunday, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths from the council.

The minister concluded his tour of the 23 local government areas of the state with the Obio/Akpor visit to appreciate residents for their support in the 2023 elections and to canvass continued backing for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

Addressing the gathering, Wike stressed that politics should not be driven by sentiment. He said, “There is no sentiment; there is no emotion. Politics is about interest — the interest of your people.

“Power is not dashed; we struggle for it. After all, if Donald Trump does not have power, would he go to Venezuela to pick a president? He would not. Because he has power, that is why he could go to Venezuela, whether it is wrong or right.

“So, for the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes governor. Those commenting from the sidelines should ask themselves if their local government, which produced only 5,000 votes, can challenge a local government that produced 40 per cent of the votes. Let us see how that will work.

“We will use our strength to punish them. Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making a pronouncement. Nobody has become a senator of Rivers East without Obio/Akpor making a decision.

“So, if you like abusing us, after abusing us, come and look for the votes, and we will punish you with the votes.”

The former Rivers governor dismissed calls for his removal from office, saying such decisions rest solely with the President.

“So, don’t bother about people who say, ‘Sack him.’ If my appointor believes that I can no longer offer anything, he has the right, not you. But I am very proud that the people of Obio/Akpor are proud, that Rivers people are proud, and we can tell Nigerians that we have not disappointed them as far as the FCT is concerned.

“I said it yesterday in Port Harcourt: if you’re not doing well, nobody will talk about you. But because we’re doing well, they will talk about us,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, praised Wike’s political career and influence, describing him as a major asset to the council, the state and the country.

Worlu also commended Wike’s performance across various public offices, noting his roles as council chairman, chief of staff, governor and minister.

He added, “You asked the PDP to account for the support Rivers State has given the party since 1999. Till now, nobody has answered.

“When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. When it comes to who should be the governor of Rivers State, we don’t know where to go, but we know where not to go.

“We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment or disloyalty.”

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, reaffirmed the legislature’s support for Wike and President Tinubu.

He said, “On behalf of the RSHA, we want to once again reassure you of our prayers and support as you continue to support Mr President. Your Excellency, we are proud of you.

“Don’t bother about your detractors. The real people of Nigeria know your worth. They know you are helping Mr President to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Presidency to intervene

Speculation over a fresh intervention by President Bola Tinubu in the Rivers political crisis deepened on Friday after the 26 lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy.

Amid rising tension, sources close to the Presidency told The PUNCH that President Tinubu was planning to intervene and had invited both Wike and Fubara for a meeting.

On Sunday evening, Wike departed the Port Harcourt International Airport for Abuja, dispelling rumours of a planned trip to Dubai to meet the President for another intervention session.

He arrived at the airport at about 4:30 pm and proceeded to the VIP lounge in the company of friends and loyalists.

Efforts to reach Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, for confirmation of a meeting with the President were unsuccessful. However, a source close to the minister said Wike had returned to Abuja to receive President Tinubu, who is currently abroad, upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

“He returned to Abuja today. He has to receive the President when he arrives, as usual. Whether there will be a meeting — and specifically one on Rivers State — I cannot confirm at this time.

“Outside his official duties and meetings with the President as minister, I am not aware of any other meeting,” the source said.

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