SERAP Sues Senate President and House Speaker Over Alleged Mismanagement of Allowances

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, September 1, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks to address allegations regarding the National Assembly’s handling of salaries, allowances, and running costs.

SERAP’s suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024, demands several actions, including:

• Ending the Practice: An order of mandamus to compel Akpabio and Abbas to stop the allegedly unlawful practice of setting their own remuneration and allowances.
• Disclosure of Costs: Transparency in the amounts and details of the monthly running costs paid to lawmakers.
• Ending Personal Payments: Cessation of the alleged practice of paying running costs into lawmakers’ personal accounts.

The lawsuit follows claims by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that lawmakers determine their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission’s (RMAFC) recommendations. SERAP argues that this practice contravenes the Nigerian Constitution and federal financial regulations, specifically Rule 713, which prohibits public money from being paid into private accounts.

SERAP contends that these actions undermine public trust and breach lawmakers’ fiduciary duties. The organization also seeks for Akpabio and Abbas to refer allegations of misuse to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The suit highlights concerns about integrity and accountability within the National Assembly, with SERAP emphasizing that adherence to constitutional and international anti-corruption standards is crucial for maintaining public confidence.