The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against Nigeria Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. This lawsuit arises from their alleged failure to stop the unlawful practice of determining allowances and running costs for lawmakers, which has sparked significant controversy.
SERAP
Takes Legal Action
Kolawole
Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, announced in a statement on Sunday that
the organization filed the lawsuit last Friday at the Abuja Federal High Court.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024, seeks to hold the legislative leaders
accountable for what SERAP describes as unlawful practices regarding financial
benefits for lawmakers.
Details
of the Lawsuit
The
lawsuit specifically seeks an order of mandamus to compel Senate President
Akpabio and Speaker Abbas to disclose the exact amount of the monthly running
costs being paid to lawmakers. Additionally, SERAP is demanding a full
disclosure of how these funds are spent.
"The
provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian
Constitution 1999 (as amended) make it unlawful for the National Assembly to
fix its salaries, allowances, and running costs," SERAP argued in its
legal filing. The organization claims that the National Assembly’s current
practice violates constitutional mandates and transparency principles.
Allegations
of Self-Determined Salaries and Allowances
The
lawsuit follows statements from former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo,
who alleged that lawmakers have been unilaterally determining their salaries
and allowances, contrary to the guidelines set by the Revenue Mobilisation
Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC). Although it was clarified that the 109
senators in Nigeria earn a monthly salary of N1,063,860, the specific
allowances they receive remain undisclosed.
Adding
to the controversy, Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila from Kano South recently
revealed that senators receive N21 million monthly as running costs. This
disclosure corroborates earlier claims by former Senator Shehu Sani, who had
previously highlighted the excessive financial benefits enjoyed by lawmakers.
Calls for
Transparency and Accountability
SERAP's
lawsuit aims to enforce transparency and accountability within the legislative
arm of government. The organization has consistently advocated for the
responsible use of public funds and the elimination of practices that undermine
the rule of law and good governance. By taking legal action, SERAP hopes to
compel the National Assembly leadership to adhere to constitutional provisions
and to provide a clear accounting of all financial allocations to lawmakers.
Broader
Implications for Nigerian Governance
This lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for governance and accountability in Nigeria. Should the court rule in favor of SERAP, it may set a precedent for greater transparency in government expenditures and lead to more stringent oversight of how public officials manage funds allocated to them.
As the case proceeds, all eyes will be on the Abuja Federal High Court to see how it addresses these critical issues concerning public accountability and the rule of law in Nigeria.
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