Budget Padding: SERAP Calls For Reinstatement Of Ningi

A Lagos-based rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has asked the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly (NA) to immediately reinstate whistleblower, Abdul Ningi who was recently suspended from the Senate over his allegations that the lawmakers padded the 2024 budget by irregularly inserting projects worth N3.7 trillion.

The group also tasked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to refer the allegations to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.

According to a statement issued by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group further tasked Akpabio “to make a public commitment to discontinue the patently unlawful constituency projects in the next budget cycle.”

Making reference to its letter dated March 16, 2024, SERAP insisted that, “Referring these allegations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies would be consistent with the lawmakers’ oath of office and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended),” adding that “What Senator Ningi has done is a positive act of good citizenship. No whistleblower should ever be penalised simply for making a public interest disclosure.”

The letter read in part: “Without inside information, corruption is hard to detect, prevent and combat. Rather than suspending Senator Ningi, the Senate ought to have used his allegations as a trigger for addressing the lingering problem of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects.

“Referring the allegations to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would improve public trust in the ability of the leadership of the Senate to ensure probity and accountability in the budget process.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. 

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and the Senate to comply with our requests in the public interest.”

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