SERAP sues Nigerian government for ‘secrecy in loan spending, debt crisis’

the Socio-Economic Rights and Responsibility Project (SERAP) filed a lawsuit against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for “the secrecy in the spending of the loans obtained so far, the unsustainable level of borrowing by the government and the 36 states, the debt crisis and the impact disproportionate negative impact of these retrograde measures on the poor”. Nigerians.

In complaint number ECW/CCJ/APP/05/22 filed last week before the ECOWAS Abuja Court of Justice, SERAP seeks: “An order directing and compelling the Federal Government to issue an immediate moratorium on borrowing by itself and the 36 States, in accordance with the country’s international human rights obligations .”

SERAP is also seeking “an order directing and compelling the federal government to publish details of the expenditures of loans obtained by the governments since 1999, including a list of the projects and locations of those projects on which those loans were spent.”

In the lawsuit brought by SERAP on behalf of the affected Nigerians, the organization argues that “the persistent and unsustainable federal and state government borrowing and crushing debt burden undermine the rights of Nigerians to economic and social development and are contrary to in the public interest”. .”

SERAP argues that “the crippling debt burden is a human rights issue within the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court, because when the whole country is burdened with unsustainable debts, little money will be left. to ensure poor and vulnerable Nigerians have access to legally enforceable social services”. – economic rights.

SERAP also argues that “there is a lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of loans secured so far, and opacity around the terms and conditions of loan agreements, including repayment details of these loans. The details of the projects for which the loans are spent are shrouded in secrecy.

SERAP is also asking for “an order directing and compelling the federal government to conduct an assessment of government borrowing since 1999 to address the disastrous consequences of unsustainable debt on people and communities and to ensure that borrowing at all levels of government consider human rights implications.”

In the lawsuit brought by SERAP lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, the organization argues that “unsustainable long-term debt can be an obstacle to the government’s ability to mobilize resources for human rights, and can lead to taxes and user fees that negatively impact vulnerable and marginalized Nigerians.

The suit, read in part: “If left unaddressed, escalating borrowing and the impending debt crisis would cripple the ability of the federal government and all 36 states to secure basic socio-economic rights, such as quality health care, education and cleanliness. water for the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the population.

“Without a borrowing moratorium, the federal government and many of the 36 states could be caught up in a process driven primarily by creditor needs. This will entail an exorbitant social cost for marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the population.

“The ability of the Nigerian government to guarantee human rights is inextricably linked to its ability to spend the necessary resources. The growing debt burden and difficulties in debt repayment will have negative impacts on the Respondent’s ability to uphold the basic socio-economic rights of poor and vulnerable Nigerians. »

“Sustainable debt management by federal and state governments will help mobilize resources for human rights and essential public services, and promote a culture of responsible borrowing.”

“The federal government and many of the 36 states appear to be in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress. According to reports, the Senate and House of Representatives recently approved loans of $5,803,364,553.50 and a grant component of $10 million under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rollover) Plan of the federal government.

“This follows previous approvals by the National Assembly of a $16.2 (16,230,077,718) billion loan; €1,020,000,000 million and a grant component of a $125 million loan; $36.8 billion, €910 million in loans and a grant component of $10 million; 8.3 billion dollars and 490 million euros in loans; 6.1 billion dollars, 1.5 billion dollars and 995 million loans; and $4 (4,054,476,863), €710 million and a grant component of $125 million.

“Several of the 36 states are also facing a debt crisis and vicious cycles of debt. According to the Debt Management Office, the outstanding foreign debt of the federal government, 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory currently stands at $37.9 billion.

“China’s loans alone amount to $3.59 billion. Nigeria faces debt service to tax revenue ratio that exceeds 20%, with escalating poverty-related social tensions, says UN Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights and inequalities.

“According to the World Bank’s IDA FY21 report, with a debt exposure of US$11.7 billion, Nigeria ranks fifth among the 10 countries most at risk of debt. The top four countries are India with $22 billion, Bangladesh ($18.1 billion), Pakistan ($16.4 billion) and Vietnam ($14.1 billion).

“While it is essential that federal and state governments have sufficient resources to fund their budgets, it is equally essential that governments consider the impact of borrowing on human rights. Persistent borrowing is inconsistent with the country’s human rights obligations.

SERAP is also asking the ECOWAS Court for the following remedies:

1. A DECLARATION that the Respondent’s failure to end the persistent and unsustainable borrowing amounts to a violation of the rights of the Applicant and other Nigerians to the enjoyment of socio-economic rights and development, as guaranteed by Articles 2, 9 , 11, 12 and 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Articles 2, 15, 16, 17, 22 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
2. A DECLARATION that the Respondent’s failure to end the persistent and unsustainable borrowing constitutes a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Charter Africa of Human and Peoples’ Rights.
3. AN ORDER order and compel the Respondent to adopt and ensure effective measures to address deficiencies in transparency and accountability in loan expenditures, and systemic and widespread corruption in ministries, departments and agencies, as documented by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, including in the 2019 audited report.
4. A PERPETUAL INJUNCTION ORDER prevent the defendant and its agents from engaging in unsustainable borrowing until the human rights impact assessment of the previous borrowing is completed and the recommendations are fully implemented.
5. ALSO FURTHER such orders as the Honorable Court may see fit to make in the circumstances of this action.

No date has been set for the hearing of the lawsuit.