SERAP presses FG over $460m CCTV project beneficiaries

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to immediately disclose the identities of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants and vendors that benefited from payments made under the controversial $460m Abuja CCTV Project.

SERAP’s demand followed recent disclosures by the Federal Ministry of Finance in response to contempt proceedings initiated by the organisation over alleged non-compliance with a Federal High Court judgment delivered in May 2023.

In a letter dated May 15, 2026 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, R.O. Omachi, the ministry stated that records from the Ministry of Police Affairs showed that “while local subcontractors may have been engaged, there is an absence of detailed subcontracting records identifying specific local companies that received funds directly from the Chinese loan.”

Reacting in a letter dated May 23, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP expressed concern over what it described as delayed and partial compliance with the court order.

“We are concerned that although the judgment was delivered in May 2023, the Ministry only released some information after we commenced contempt proceedings and served a Notice to Show Cause in January 2026,” SERAP said.

According to the organisation, “Nigerians still do not know the exact names of local contractors for the project.

“The absence of this information raises serious concerns about record-keeping, transparency and accountability, and whether the project was implemented in a manner consistent with the public interest.”

SERAP recalled that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on May 15, 2023 ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the $460m Abuja CCTV loan, the identities of local and Chinese contractors who received the funds, the implementation status of the project, and details relating to the N1.5bn reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.

The organisation stated that the information released so far amounted to only partial compliance with the judgment.

“The details provided amount to only partial compliance with Justice Emeka Nwite’s judgment. Key questions remain unanswered, and further clarification is needed to ensure full and effective compliance with the judgment,” SERAP stated.

It warned that failure to provide the outstanding details within 48 hours would lead to the continuation of contempt proceedings against the ministry.

“We would be grateful if the requested details are provided within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall proceed with our contempt proceedings against the Federal Ministry of Finance for failure to fully and effectively comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court,” the letter added.

SERAP acknowledged that the ministry had provided some information regarding the Chinese loan drawdown, counterpart funding arrangements and records relating to equipment deliveries connected with the project.

However, the organisation said critical issues remained unresolved, particularly concerning 6,035 items reportedly not delivered under the project.

“There is still no explanation regarding the missing 6,035 items as part of the status of implementation 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 said.

The organisation also questioned the operational status of the CCTV infrastructure.

“The ministry lists items reportedly delivered in 2013.

However, it has failed to clarify how many cameras were installed, if any; where they were installed; whether the cameras are currently operational; and whether the project delivered value for money,” it said.

SERAP stressed that the project, which was financed through public borrowing, required full transparency.

“For a project financed through public borrowing, debt Nigerians continue to repay, full transparency over all beneficiaries, foreign and domestic, is essential. Nigerians have the right to know how public funds were spent, who received them, and what was delivered in return,” the organisation stated.

The group further noted that compliance with court judgments was fundamental to the rule of law and democratic accountability.

“Government agencies cannot selectively comply with judicial orders or release partial information while withholding records central to public accountability,” SERAP said.

The organisation linked the demand for accountability to the prevailing insecurity across the country, particularly in Abuja.

“The urgency of full disclosure is heightened by the continuing security crisis across Nigeria, including persistent insecurity in Abuja, where the project was specifically intended to strengthen surveillance, public safety, and emergency response,” it stated.

According to SERAP, Nigerians deserve to know whether the massive investment in the CCTV project translated into improved security outcomes.

“Residents of the Federal Capital Territory and several states, including Benue and Oyo, continue to face abductions, violent crime and other serious threats to safety, while communities across the country grapple with widespread insecurity and loss of lives.”

“Against this backdrop, Nigerians are entitled to know whether the Abuja CCTV project was fully delivered, whether it became operational, whether the infrastructure is functional, and whether the huge public investment achieved the promised security outcomes,” the organisation said.

SERAP also disclosed details contained in the ministry’s response, including that the Federal Government received $399.5m from the Export-Import Bank of China for the National Public Security Communication System project, popularly known as the Abuja CCTV Project.

The ministry reportedly stated that the funds were drawn in 10 instalments between March 2011 and December 2013, while the Federal Government contributed an additional $70.5m as counterpart funding, representing 15 per cent of the total project cost of $470m.

According to SERAP, the ministry further disclosed that the naira equivalent of the counterpart funding was N10.68bn at an exchange rate of N150 to one dollar, including a one per cent Central Bank of Nigeria commission.

The organisation also noted that the principal contractor for the project was identified as ZTE Corporation of China, with payments made through the Bank of China, Shenzhen Branch.

“According to the ministry, several equipment items, including GOTA phones, data cards, PC servers, LED monitors, cables and related communications infrastructure were delivered. Inventory records show 61,970 units delivered out of 68,005 expected, leaving 6,035 units outstanding,” SERAP stated.

The ministry also reportedly clarified that the N1.5bn mobilisation payment for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project was not part of the Chinese loan arrangement.

SERAP urged the Federal Government to fully implement the court judgment by publishing the names of all Nigerian companies, subcontractors, consultants and vendors involved in the project, disclosing the amount paid to each entity and the nature of work performed, and releasing certificates of completion alongside a detailed account of the undelivered project items.