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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to compel President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian government to publish details of the spending of N388.304 billion London Paris Club loan refunds, allegedly mismanaged by 35 states.

In a suit filed yesterday, the human rights group is seeking “an order to compel the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, to compile and pass on to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, information relating to the release and spending of N 388.304 billion London Paris Club loan refunds to the states.”

The suit with number FCH/CS/523/17, filed by Deputy Director of SERAP, Timothy Adewale on behalf of the organisation, argued that the diversion and mismanagement of the said fund by state chief executives, have undermined the dignity of workers and deprived pensioners of their capacity and means of recognising their social rights.

“Since the receipt of SERAP’s letter dated 17th March, 2017, and up till the filing of this suit, the government has so far failed, refused and/or neglected to pass on to the Attorney-General of the federation and minister of Justice, information relating to the release and spending of N388.304 billion London Paris Club loan refunds to 35 states by the Federal government for appropriate legal action against the stated,” the suit said in part.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government released N388.304 billion out of the N522.72 billion to 35 states as refunds of over-deduction on London Paris Club Loans.

No date has however been fixed for the hearing of the suit.