The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas over what it calls the “unlawful practice” of the National Assembly setting its own allowances and running costs without adhering to the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC) guidelines.
The lawsuit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024, was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, last Friday. SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to compel Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas to stop the National Assembly from fixing its remuneration and disclose the specific amounts of the monthly running costs paid to lawmakers, along with the details of their expenditures.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently accused the lawmakers of setting their own salaries and allowances, in violation of the RMAFC’s recommendations. SERAP argues that the practice of paying running costs directly into lawmakers’ personal accounts breaches the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which prohibit the deposit of public money into private accounts.
SERAP further claims that this practice is inconsistent with the lawmakers’ constitutional oath of office, which requires them to act transparently and in the public interest. The organization is also demanding that Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas refer the allegations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution if necessary.
No date has been set for the hearing of the suit.
