The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas over the alleged unlawful practice of the National Assembly fixing its own allowances and running costs. The lawsuit also demands transparency and accountability regarding the monthly running costs paid to lawmakers.
Filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the suit seeks an order of mandamus to compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the practice of the National Assembly determining its remuneration and to disclose the exact amounts received by lawmakers as running costs. SERAP also calls for an end to the practice of paying these allowances directly into the personal accounts of lawmakers, which the organization argues is a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and Federal Government Financial Regulations.
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The legal action follows allegations by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that lawmakers have been setting their own salaries and allowances contrary to the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC). SERAP’s suit argues that such actions are incompatible with the constitutional oath of office and the principles of transparency and accountability.
SERAP emphasized the importance of public trust and the need for lawmakers to adhere to their fiduciary duties, urging that any misuse of running costs should be investigated and prosecuted by appropriate anti-corruption agencies. The organization also pointed to Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption, which requires public officials to manage resources with integrity and honesty.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
