SERAP Sues National Assembly Leaders Over Lawmakers’ Running Costs

SERAP Sues National Assembly Leaders Over Lawmakers' Running Costs
SERAP Sues National Assembly Leaders Over Lawmakers' Running Costs

Nigeria’s National Assembly Sued Over Alleged Illegal "Running Costs" for Lawmakers

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly, accusing them of illegally fixing the "running costs" for lawmakers. The suit was filed on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Joining the suit are Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. SERAP claims that the duo failed to end the unlawful practice of the National Assembly fixing its allowances and running costs, as well as the failure to account for the monthly running costs paid to members.

The group’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said in a statement that the suit was filed following a recent allegation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that lawmakers fix their salaries and allowances contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

According to the statement, SERAP seeks an order to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the unlawful practice of the National Assembly fixing its remuneration and allowances termed as "running cost." The group also wants an order to direct and compel the duo to disclose the exact amount of the monthly running costs being paid to and received by lawmakers, as well as the spending details of any such costs.

Furthermore, SERAP seeks an order to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the alleged practice of paying remuneration and allowances termed as "running costs" into the personal accounts of lawmakers.

The provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] clearly make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its salaries, allowances, and running costs. The alleged practice of paying running costs into personal accounts is also 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."

Read also: SSANU Slams FG Over WAEC, NECO Age Requirement Policy

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