SERAP Takes Legal Action Against Akpabio, Abbas Over ₦21 Million Monthly Allowances

SERAP Takes Legal Action Against Akpabio, Abbas Over ₦21 Million Monthly Allowances

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

The lawsuit challenges the National Assembly’s alleged practice of setting its own allowances and running costs without transparency or accountability.

According to Naija News, this legal action follows allegations by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that lawmakers have been fixing their own salaries and allowances, disregarding the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

The lawsuit, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja and numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024, seeks an order compelling Akpabio and Abbas to stop the National Assembly from determining its remuneration and allowances, often referred to as “running costs.” SERAP is also demanding the disclosure of the exact amount of monthly running costs paid to lawmakers and a detailed account of how these funds are utilized.

SERAP argues that paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers is a violation of Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which prohibits the payment of public money into private bank accounts. The organization contends that this practice breaches both the Nigerian Constitution and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

The suit also highlights the constitutional oath of office taken by lawmakers, which mandates them to act transparently and accountably, ensuring that their actions serve the public interest rather than personal gain. SERAP asserts that the reported practice of lawmakers fixing their own salaries and allowances undermines public trust in the National Assembly and is inconsistent with the principles of good governance.

Furthermore, SERAP is calling for any misused or mismanaged running costs to be returned, arguing that such actions would restore public confidence in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law. The organization is also seeking an order to compel Akpabio and Abbas to refer allegations of misuse of running costs to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The lawsuit underscores the need for public officials, including lawmakers, to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in managing public resources. It stresses the importance of transparency in the use of taxpayer money, asserting that Nigerians have a right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend public funds.

As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the case.