The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has warned that it may initiate contempt proceedings against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, over what it described as the continued failure to enforce a court judgment ordering the publication of names of individuals indicted in the alleged misappropriation of ₦6 trillion at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
SERAP said the judgment, delivered on November 10, 2025 by Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, also compels the Federal Government to publish the NDDC forensic audit report submitted on September 2, 2021.
In a letter dated December 13, 2025 and signed by its Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation accused the Attorney General and President Bola Tinubu of failing to comply with what it described as a “final, binding and immediately enforceable” court order.
“The continuing failure and/or refusal to publicly acknowledge the judgment and immediately enforce it make a mockery of the country’s legal and judicial processes and the rule of law,” SERAP said.
The suit, filed under the Freedom of Information Act, sought public disclosure of the forensic audit report and the identities of persons allegedly involved in the misappropriation of funds meant for 13,777 projects abandoned by the NDDC between 2000 and 2019.
SERAP stressed that Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution mandates all authorities and persons to enforce court decisions, adding that the provision “admits no exception and leaves no ambiguity.”
According to the organisation, the failure to implement the judgment amounts to “a fundamental breach of both the letter and spirit of the Constitution” and exposes responsible officials to personal liability for contempt of court.
“The continuing failure to immediately obey Justice Olotu’s judgment exposes responsible officials to contempt proceedings, including personal liability,” the letter stated.
SERAP reminded the Attorney General of his constitutional role as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, saying he has a duty to advise the government to comply with judicial decisions and to act in the public interest.
“Justice Olotu’s judgment is not advisory; it is final, binding, and immediately enforceable against you and President Tinubu,” SERAP said, expressing concern that non-compliance was “contributing to ongoing corruption and impunity” within ministries, departments and agencies.
The organisation also argued that the refusal to enforce the judgment violates Nigeria’s international human rights obligations and undermines public confidence in the legal system.
Quoting the Supreme Court’s decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986), SERAP warned that a government that disobeys court orders “invites anarchy,” stressing that “the government should be the first to obey the law.”
SERAP gave the Attorney General seven days to comply with the judgment or face possible contempt proceedings aimed at compelling enforcement.
In her ruling, Justice Olotu held that the NDDC forensic audit report and the names of those indicted qualify as public records under the Freedom of Information Act and are not exempt from disclosure, as they relate to the management of public funds.
SERAP said enforcing the judgment would not only demonstrate the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ending corruption and impunity but also help restore public trust and advance transparency and accountability in the management of resources in the Niger Delta.