*EFCC, ICPC To Investigate As NBA Branches Face Accountability Questions
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Civic accountability platform, Tracka, a project of BudgIT Foundation, has raised concerns over a reported ₦50 million expenditure for the construction of a Magistrate Court and High Court at Erho, Abraka, Delta State, after a field visit allegedly showed no evidence of new construction or renovation at the facility.
Tracka said the project was captured in the 2024 Delta State Budget Implementation Report as having received ₦50 million, representing 100 percent of the total budgeted sum for the project.
However, the organisation said its team visited the court facility and found no visible evidence of work corresponding with the reported expenditure.
According to Tracka, the existing facility remains in poor condition, with parts of the roof pulling off and the court premises overgrown by bushes.
The organisation also said court officials at both the Magistrate Court and High Court reportedly told its team that they were not aware of any such project and that no construction or renovation had been carried out.
It further stated that the Magistrate informed its representatives that the current benches in the court were provided by the community.
Following the findings, BudgIT Foundation, through Tracka, wrote a Freedom of Information request dated June 8, 2026, to the Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Theresa Diai, seeking clarification on the reported expenditure.
The letter, signed by Tracka’s Head, Osiyemi Joshua, requested details on the approved project, including the scope of work, implementation timeline, current status, contractor’s name, and clarification on the nature of works reportedly executed under the ₦50 million allocation.
Tracka asked that the information be provided within seven days in line with the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
In a post on X, Tracka also called on the office of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to investigate the discrepancy and provide the public with details of the project.
The development has raised fresh concerns over accountability in justice-sector infrastructure spending, especially where funds are reported as fully released or expended but affected court facilities show no corresponding improvement.
It has also prompted questions about the role of local Nigerian Bar Association branches in monitoring justice infrastructure projects that directly affect lawyers, litigants, magistrates, judges and court users within their jurisdictions.
While lawyers say NBA branches in affected areas should not remain silent where court buildings are dilapidated despite reported public spending, as court infrastructure directly affects access to justice and the dignity of legal practice.
They argue that NBA branches can support accountability by inspecting court facilities, demanding project documents, engaging the judiciary and state government, and, where necessary, petitioning anti-corruption agencies over abandoned or questionable justice-sector projects.
For lawyers and litigants who use the courts daily, the key question remains: what are the NBA branches in Delta State doing to track, question and demand accountability for projects concerning the courts where their members practise?
Tracka said it would continue to demand transparency on public projects and ensure citizens have access to information on how public funds are spent.
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