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SERAP Presses Federal Government Over Abuja CCTV Spending
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has renewed calls on the Federal Government to immediately publish the identities of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and vendors involved in the controversial $460 million Abuja CCTV project, officially known as the National Public Security Communication System.
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SERAP insists that Nigerians are still being kept in the dark over how the massive public funds were utilised, years after the project failed to deliver meaningful improvements in public security.
Call for Transparency From the Ministry of Finance
In a letter dated May 23, 2026, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to release comprehensive details of all payments, project execution milestones, and outstanding deliverables linked to the CCTV initiative.
According to SERAP, the Ministry of Finance recently admitted that it lacks “detailed subcontracting records identifying specific local companies that received funds directly from the Chinese loan,” even though it acknowledged that local subcontractors may have been engaged.
Government Admits Lack of Records Despite Court Order
The Federal Ministry of Finance confirmed in a letter dated May 15, 2026—signed by Permanent Secretary R. O. Omachi—that it does not possess detailed records of local contractors associated with the project.
SERAP described the admission as deeply troubling, noting that it followed contempt proceedings over a 2023 judgment of the Federal High Court that explicitly ordered full disclosure of all project-related information.
“We are concerned that although the judgment was delivered in May 2023, the Ministry only released partial information after we initiated contempt proceedings and served a Notice to Show Cause in January 2026,” SERAP said.
The Core of the Legal Dispute
At the heart of the controversy is a landmark ruling delivered in May 2023 by Justice Emeka Nwite, which mandated the Federal Government to account for the $460 million Chinese loan used to fund the CCTV project.
The court specifically ordered the publication of the names of all local and foreign companies that received payments. However, SERAP argues that the government’s response so far falls short of the court’s directive, particularly regarding Nigerian beneficiaries.
Project Funding Structure Revealed
Information released by the Ministry of Finance outlines the financial architecture of the failed security project:
- Chinese Loan: $399.5 million disbursed in 10 tranches between 2011 and 2013 by the Export-Import Bank of China.
- Nigeria’s Counterpart Funding: $70.5 million (₦10.68 billion at the time).
- Principal Contractor: ZTE Corporation, with payments routed through the Bank of China’s Shenzhen branch.
Despite this expenditure, the CCTV infrastructure reportedly failed to deliver its core objective of enhancing public safety in Abuja.
48-Hour Ultimatum and Legislative Probe
SERAP has now issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Finance to locate and publish the identities of all vendors, consultants, and subcontractors tied to the project.
Beyond the courts, the House of Representatives is also concluding a forensic investigation into why the National Public Security Communication System collapsed operationally, even as Nigeria continues to service the Chinese loan with public funds.
Why the Case Matters
The Abuja CCTV controversy has become a symbol of broader governance challenges around transparency, public procurement, and debt accountability.
SERAP argues that full disclosure is essential not only to comply with court orders but also to restore public trust and ensure that future infrastructure projects deliver value for money.
