SERAP calls for probe into alleged embezzlement of N26.9 billion telecoms fund

Monday, May 11, 2026 - The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate probe into the alleged disappearance or diversion of N26.9bn from the Universal Service Provision Fund.

The group specifically called on the President to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and the Secretary of the USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, to explain the whereabouts of the funds.

SERAP also asked Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside relevant anti-corruption agencies, to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.

The allegations are contained in the 2022 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.

In a letter dated May 9, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the alleged financial irregularities represent a serious breach of public trust and threaten efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide.

“The USPF is critical to expanding telecommunications access in underserved and rural communities.

“Any diversion of its funds directly undermines its mandate to support infrastructure development and promote inclusive connectivity,” the organisation said.

SERAP warned that failure to investigate and recover the funds would deny millions of Nigerians access to essential digital services and frustrate national development goals.

According to the group, poor internet access affects citizens’ ability to exercise fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, access to information, education and participation in public affairs.

“It also impacts access to livelihood opportunities, healthcare information, financial services and education, particularly in an increasingly digital economy,” the letter stated.

SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its demands or face possible legal action aimed at compelling compliance by the government, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the USPF.

The organisation cited several alleged irregularities highlighted by the Auditor-General.

Among them is the USPF’s alleged failure to disclose a domiciliary account and refusal to grant the Auditor-General access to its books.

The audit report also alleged that the agency failed to remit more than N13.8bn in operating surplus between 2016 and 2019, raising concerns that the funds may have been diverted.

“The USPF failed to remit over N13.8bn (13,874,132,629.50), being 25 per cent annual operating surplus for four years, that is, between 2016 and 2019.’ The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the USPF to account for and remit the money.”

It further flagged N11.7m reportedly spent on international training programmes in October 2020 without supporting documents, despite COVID-19 travel restrictions at the time.

“The USPF also claimed to have spent over N11.7m (N11,793,838.40) on international training in October 2020, but these claims were made without any documents.’ There were no documents, such as a letter of invitation for the programme, no receipt/invoice for registration, and no certificate of participation,” it added.

Other allegations include award of contracts worth over N2.8bn without approval or procurement documentation; payment of N8m to a non-existent fund manager; spending of N6.4bn on projects not captured in the approved 2020 budget; disbursement of N2.8bn between January and May 2021 without documentation or explanation; failure to remit over N333m in stamp duties; failure to deduct over N144m in withholding tax; and payment of N391m to consultants without evidence of work done.

“The Auditor-General is concerned that payments may have resulted in the loss of revenue accruable to the government. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

“The USPF paid over N390m (N391,311,759.29) to consultants for projects, but ‘without evidence of jobs done.’ There was ‘no evidence that the consultants visited the sites, there was no supply of the quoted items, and there were other problems ranging from malfunctioning of equipment and internet connectivity issues.’

“He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”

SERAP said the alleged actions undermine transparency, deepen inequality and exclude millions of Nigerians from digital opportunities.

The group based its demands on constitutional provisions requiring the government to abolish corrupt practices and ensure national resources are used for the common good.

It also cited Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, both of which require effective investigation and sanctions for corruption-related offences.

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) imposes clear responsibility on your government to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Constitution.

“Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on your government to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.’ Under Section 16(1) of the Constitution, your government has a responsibility to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen based on social justice and equality of status and opportunity.’

“Section 16(2) further provides that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.

“The UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, both of which Nigeria is a state party to, obligate your government to effectively prevent and investigate allegations of corruption and hold public officials and non-state actors accountable for any violations.

“Specifically, Article 26 of the UN Convention requires your government to ensure ‘effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions’, including criminal and non-criminal sanctions in cases of grand corruption.

“Article 26 complements the more general requirement of Article 30, paragraph one, that sanctions must take into account the gravity of the corruption allegations.”