SERAP Sues Senate President Akpabio and Speaker Abbas Over Alleged Unlawful Allowances

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas over allegations of unlawful allocation and disbursement of parliamentary allowances and running costs.

Filed on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the lawsuit challenges the National Assembly’s purported practice of self-determining members’ salaries and allowances, a responsibility constitutionally assigned to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Allegations of Financial Misconduct

The legal action follows recent claims by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who accused lawmakers of arbitrarily setting their own remuneration packages, circumventing established constitutional provisions. SERAP contends that this practice violates paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution of 1999, which delegates the authority of salary and allowance determination exclusively to RMAFC.

SERAP’s suit seeks a court order mandating Akpabio and Abbas to cease the alleged unlawful practices and disclose the exact amounts received by lawmakers as monthly running costs. The organization also demands detailed accounts of how these funds have been utilized, arguing that depositing public funds directly into personal accounts of lawmakers breaches Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

The advocacy group emphasizes that the alleged actions of the National Assembly members undermine public trust and violate international anti-corruption obligations, particularly those outlined in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory. SERAP asserts that public officials are duty-bound to perform their functions with integrity, honesty, and in the public interest.

“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 stated in the lawsuit filed by attorneys Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Blessing Ogwuche.

The organization also urges the court to compel the Senate President and House Speaker to refer allegations of misused funds to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and possible prosecution, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring responsible governance.

Revelations on Lawmakers’ Earnings

The lawsuit references statements made by Senator Kawu Sumaila of Kano South Senatorial District, who recently disclosed in a BBC Hausa interview that each senator receives at least N21 million monthly, encompassing salaries, allowances, and running costs. According to Sumaila, after deductions, a senator’s salary amounts to just over N600,000, with the substantial balance classified as running costs.

These revelations have intensified public scrutiny over the transparency and justification of such substantial allowances, especially in the context of Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges and widespread calls for prudent management of public resources.

Awaiting Judicial Proceedings

As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the case. The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for fiscal accountability and the legislative body’s adherence to constitutional mandates regarding financial entitlements.

Both Akpabio and Abbas, representing themselves and all members of the National Assembly, have yet to issue official responses to the lawsuit. The case continues to draw attention from citizens and civil society organizations advocating for greater transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s political institutions.