The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to immediately publish the identities of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants and vendors that benefited from payments made under the controversial $460m Abuja CCTV Project.
SERAP made the demand after the Federal Ministry of Finance released partial information 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 Ministry of Finance, R.O. Omachi, the ministry said records from the Ministry of Police Affairs showed that local subcontractors “may have been engaged,” but there were no detailed records identifying specific Nigerian companies that received funds directly from the Chinese loan.
Reacting in a letter dated May 23, 2026, SERAP expressed concern over what it described as delayed and incomplete compliance with the court order.
The letter, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, stated that the ministry only released some information after the organisation began contempt proceedings and served a Notice to Show Cause in January 2026.
SERAP said Nigerians still do not know the names of local contractors linked to the project.
According to the organisation, the lack of information raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability and record-keeping.
SERAP recalled that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the Ministry of Finance on May 15, 2023, to disclose the total amount paid under the CCTV loan arrangement, the identities of contractors that received the funds, the implementation status of the project and details related to the N1.5bn reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.
The organisation argued that the details released so far amount to only partial compliance with the judgment.
SERAP warned that failure to provide the outstanding details within 48 hours would lead to the continuation of contempt proceedings against the ministry.
The organisation acknowledged that the ministry provided some information about the Chinese loan drawdown, counterpart funding and records of equipment deliveries connected to the project.
However, SERAP said major questions remain unanswered, especially regarding 6,035 items reportedly not delivered under the CCTV project.
The organisation said there was no explanation about whether the missing items were later supplied, whether payments had already been made for them or whether Nigeria suffered financial losses.
SERAP also questioned the operational status of the CCTV infrastructure.
According to the organisation, the ministry failed to explain how many cameras were installed, where they were located and whether the surveillance system is currently functioning.
SERAP stressed that Nigerians deserve to know whether the massive public investment improved security outcomes, especially as insecurity continues across Abuja and other parts of the country.
The group linked its demand for accountability to the ongoing security crisis, including kidnappings, violent crimes and attacks affecting residents in the Federal Capital Territory, Benue and Oyo states.
According to details disclosed by the ministry, the Federal Government received $399.5m from the Export-Import Bank of China for the National Public Security Communication System project, also known as the Abuja CCTV Project.
The funds were reportedly drawn in 10 instalments between March 2011 and December 2013.
The Federal Government also contributed an additional $70.5m as counterpart funding, representing 15 per cent of the total project cost estimated at $470m.
SERAP said the ministry disclosed that the naira equivalent of the counterpart funding stood at N10.68bn at an exchange rate of N150 to one dollar, including a one per cent commission charged by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The principal contractor for the project was identified as ZTE Corporation of China, while payments were reportedly processed through the Bank of China, Shenzhen Branch.
According to the ministry, several equipment items, including GOTA phones, data cards, PC servers, LED monitors and cables, were delivered for the project.
Inventory records reportedly showed that 61,970 units were delivered out of 68,005 expected items, leaving 6,035 units outstanding.
The ministry also clarified that the N1.5bn mobilisation payment linked to the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project was not part of the Chinese loan arrangement.
SERAP urged the Federal Government to fully comply with the court judgment by publishing the names of all Nigerian companies and individuals involved in the project, disclosing the amount paid to each beneficiary and releasing certificates of completion alongside details of all undelivered items.
