The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has launched legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges what SERAP describes as the unlawful practice of the National Assembly setting its own salaries and allowances.
SERAP’s suit, number FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024, requests several court orders, including:
- Ending the Practice: An order to compel Akpabio and Abbas to cease the practice of the National Assembly setting its own remuneration and allowances, termed as ‘running costs.’
- Disclosing Amounts: An order requiring them to reveal the exact amounts of monthly running costs paid to lawmakers and the detailed spending of these funds.
- Ending Payments to Personal Accounts: An order to stop the practice of paying these allowances into personal accounts of the legislators.
According to SERAP, this practice contravenes the Nigerian Constitution, specifically Section 32(d) of the Third Schedule, which prohibits the National Assembly from setting its own salaries and allowances. Additionally, SERAP argues that paying running costs into personal accounts breaches Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which mandates that public funds should not be deposited into private accounts.
Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, commented on the report’s findings, noting that the high rate of negative paternity tests and increased immigration-related testing reflect broader societal trends.
SERAP’s lawsuit also highlights concerns about transparency and accountability, citing allegations that members of the National Assembly are fixing their own salaries and allowances, which may violate their oath of office and international anti-corruption commitments.
Senator Kawu Sumaila recently disclosed that each senator reportedly receives N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances, although his personal salary is reportedly much lower.
No hearing date has been set for the case.
