Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Nigerians Drag Akpabio, Abbas, others before Court over N21M Jumbo Pay

POSTED ON September 1, 2024 •   Politics      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Senate in plenary Session. l Credit:@NGRsenate. / Source: X
 
 
 

SERAP said that the suit was filed against the two leaders of the national assembly as well as other lawmakers for fixing its allowances and running costs, and the failure to account for the monthly running costs paid to members.

The suit was filed after former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, alleged that the lawmakers fix their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to end the apparently unlawful practice of the National Assembly fixing its remuneration and allowances termed as ‘running cost’.”

SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to disclose the exact amount of the monthly running costs being paid to and received by the lawmakers, and the spending details of any such running costs.”

SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to end the alleged practice of paying remuneration and allowances termed as ‘running costs’ into the personal accounts of lawmakers.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] clearly make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its salaries, allowances and running costs.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “the alleged practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers is a fundamental breach of Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which provides that ‘public money shall not be paid into a private bank account.’”

According to SERAP, “‘Public function’ means activities in the public interest, not against it. The reports that lawmakers are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs amount to private self-interest or self-dealing. It is also detrimental to the public interest.”

SERAP said, “The constitutional oath of office of lawmakers requires them to ensure transparency and accountability in the exact amounts of salaries, allowances and running costs they receive.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “The allegations that lawmakers are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the constitutional oath of office and the object and purpose of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Ms Blessing Ogwuche, read in part: “Directing and compelling the lawmakers to account for and return any misused or mismanaged running costs they collected would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.”

“SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer the allegations on the misuse of the running costs received by members to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution where there is relevant admissible evidence.”

“The country’s international legal obligations especially under the UN Convention against Corruption impose a legal commitment on public officials including lawmakers to discharge a public duty truthfully and faithfully.”

“The convention specifically in paragraph 1 of article 8 requires members to promote integrity, honesty and responsibility in the management of public resources.”

“Nigerians have a right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend their tax money and the commonwealth. Nigerians also have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials including lawmakers.”

“Ending the reported practice by lawmakers of fixing their salaries, allowances and running costs would improve public confidence in the integrity and honesty of the National Assembly.”

“Constitutional oath of office requires public officials including lawmakers to abstain from all improper acts, such as fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs, that are inconsistent with the public trust.”

“It is a travesty and a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to fix their own salaries, allowances and running costs.”

“Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations provides: ‘Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account.’”

“In the Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution, lawmakers commit to strive to ‘preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution’, [and to] perform their ‘functions honestly, faithfully’, to act ‘always in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria’.”

“Lawmakers also commit to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Nigeria; and abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.’”

“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”

“According to our information, members of the National Assembly are currently fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs. The running costs are reportedly paid directly into the personal accounts of members.”

“Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, recently disclosed in an interview with BBC Hausa that each Nigerian senator earns at least N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances.”

“Mr Sumaila reportedly said, ‘My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000. Given the increase effected in the Senate, each senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.’”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

0
READ ALSO
Obi Urges Tougher Penalties for Corruption amid Nigeria's Leadership Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt po...

READ ALSO
Police Re-Arraign VeryDarkMan for Alleged Cyberbullying of  Nollywood Actress, others
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Th...

READ ALSO
House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...

READ ALSO
NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...

READ ALSO
DSS vs. Pat Utomi: Legal Battle Over Shadow Government Tests Nigeria’s Democratic Boundaries
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a lawsuit against Prof. Pat Utomi, a renowned eco...

READ ALSO
Shadow Government or Civic Protest? Experts Debate What Pat Utomi's Move Really Means
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

ABUJA – As the Department of State Services (DSS) seeks to shut down Prof. Pat Utomi’s s...

READ ALSO
Nasarawa Assembly Enacts Mining Bill to Ensure Compliance and Community Welfare
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

NASARAWA, Nigeria - The Nasarawa House of Assembly On Tuesday approved a mining bill aimed at regula...

READ ALSO
CDS Urges Vigilance and Unity among Troops in Fight Against Insurgency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 13, 2025 0

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, praised the troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA...

OUR CHANNELS:

US Economic Growth to Decelerate Amid Trade Tensions, Policy Uncertainties
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has indicated that the global...


Trade Tensions Rise as South Korea and U.S. Prepare for Key Discussions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

AFP - South Korea is prepared to restart tariff discussions with Washington during an important APEC...


Obi Urges Tougher Penalties for Corruption amid Nigeria's Leadership Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt po...


ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Release Businessman Imprisoned Since 2009
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The Economic Community of West African States Court on Thursday has mandated the Nigerian Federal Go...


Sanwo-Olu Establishes Apapa Central Business Office to Enhance Infrastructure, Business Climate
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sanctioned the creation of the Apapa Central Business...


NBS Reports April 2025 Inflation Rate Falls to 23.71%, Highlighting Food Safety Risks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The inflation rate for April 2025 dropped to 23.71 percent, down from 24.23 percent in March 2025, m...


Police Re-Arraign VeryDarkMan for Alleged Cyberbullying of  Nollywood Actress, others
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Th...


Actress Jumoke George Shares Emotional Journey as Daughter Adeola is Found
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Adeola, the 41-year-old daughter of renowned Yoruba actress Jumoke George, has been located in Mali...


House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...


NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 17, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu