By Ayo Kehinde
The Federal Government has admitted that it lacks detailed records identifying Nigerian contractors, subcontractors, and other local beneficiaries involved in the $460 million Abuja CCTV security project, sparking fresh demands for full disclosure and accountability from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The disclosure was contained in a letter by the Federal Ministry of Finance in response to contempt proceedings initiated by SERAP over the government’s alleged failure to fully comply with a Federal High Court judgment ordering transparency in the implementation and financing of the project.
According to the letter dated May 15, 2026 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, R.O. Omachi, records obtained from the Ministry of Police Affairs indicated that while local subcontractors “may have been engaged” during the execution of the project, there were no detailed records identifying specific Nigerian firms that directly received payments from the Chinese loan facility used to finance the surveillance scheme.
Reacting to the disclosure, SERAP accused the Federal Government of only partially complying with the judgment delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite in May 2023 and warned that it would proceed with contempt proceedings unless full details were released within 48 hours.
In a letter dated May 23, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the anti-corruption organisation said Nigerians still did not know the identities of local contractors linked to the project, despite the huge public funds committed to it.
“We are concerned that although the judgment was delivered in May 2023, the Ministry only released some information after we commenced contempt proceedings and served a Notice to Show Cause in January 2026,” SERAP stated.
According to the organisation, “Nigerians still do not know exactly the names of local contractors for the project. The absence of this information raises serious concerns about record keeping, transparency, and accountability, and whether the project was implemented in a manner consistent with the public interest.”
SERAP argued that the details provided by the government amounted only to partial compliance with the court order, insisting that several critical questions surrounding the Abuja CCTV project remained unanswered.
On May 15, 2023, the Federal High Court ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the Abuja CCTV loan arrangement, the identities of Chinese and Nigerian contractors involved in the project, the implementation status, and details relating to the controversial N1.5 billion reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.
SERAP noted that despite some disclosures by the Ministry, there was still no explanation regarding the status of thousands of project items reportedly unaccounted for.
SERAP also faulted the government for failing to clarify how many CCTV cameras were actually installed in Abuja, their locations, operational status, and whether the project ultimately delivered value for money.
According to the civic group, the inability of government agencies to produce complete records relating to the project raises broader concerns about contract administration, public accountability, and transparency in the management of borrowed funds.
The organisation warned that selective compliance with court orders undermines constitutional governance and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
SERAP further linked the urgency of the matter to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, where the CCTV project was originally conceived as part of efforts to improve surveillance, emergency response, and public safety.
According to records disclosed by the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Government received $399.5 million from the Export-Import Bank of China for the National Public Security Communication System, popularly referred to as the Abuja CCTV Project.
The funds were reportedly disbursed in 10 instalments between March 2011 and December 2013.
The Federal Government also contributed an additional $70.5 million through the Ministry of Police Affairs as counterpart funding, representing 15 per cent of the project’s estimated total cost of $470 million.
The ministry disclosed that the naira equivalent paid amounted to N10.68 billion at the then prevailing 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, with payments reportedly processed through the Bank of China, Shenzhen Branch.
According to the Ministry, inventory records showed that while 68,005 equipment units were expected for delivery under the project, only 61,970 units were confirmed delivered, leaving 6,035 items unaccounted for.
The delivered items reportedly included GOTA communication phones, data cards, PC servers, LED monitors, cables, and related communications infrastructure.
The Ministry also clarified that the controversial N1.5 billion mobilisation payment linked to the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project was not part of the Chinese loan arrangement financing the Abuja CCTV scheme.
SERAP has now urged the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and the Federal Ministry of Finance to urgently implement the Federal High Court judgment in full by publishing the names of all Nigerian companies, subcontractors, consultants, and vendors involved in the project.
The organisation also demanded disclosure of payments made to each contractor, the nature of services rendered, certificates of completion, and full accounting for the 6,035 items listed as undelivered under the project.
SERAP maintained that Nigerians deserved full transparency over how public funds borrowed in the name of national security were spent and whether the Abuja CCTV project achieved its intended purpose of improving security across the Federal Capital Territory and the country at large.
