Alleged N21m Jumbo Pay: Akpabio, Abbas dragged to court over fixing NASS running costs

AKPABIO/ABBAS 

A legal action has been initiated against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas over alleged failure to end the unlawful practice by the National Assembly (NA) of fixing its allowances and running costs, and the failure to account for the monthly running costs paid to members.

The suit was filed by a Lagos-based rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The group specifically sued Akpabio and Abbas for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.

In the legal onslaught designated FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024 before the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “An order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to end the unlawful practice of the National Assembly fixing its remuneration and allowances termed as ‘running cost’.

“An order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to disclose the exact amount of the monthly running costs being paid to and received by the lawmakers, and the spending details of any such running costs.

“An order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to end the alleged practice of paying remuneration and allowances termed as ‘running costs’ into the personal accounts of lawmakers.”

It would be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had alleged that the lawmakers fix their salaries and allowances, contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

According to the suit, the human rights organisation argued that “The provisions of paragraph N, Section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its salaries, allowances and running costs.

“The alleged practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers is 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.’”

In its contention before the court, SERAP insisted that, “Public function means activities in the public interest, not against it. The reports that lawmakers are fixing their salaries, allowances, and running costs amount to private self-interest or self-dealing. It is also detrimental to the public interest.”

As of the time of filing this report, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

All rights reserved. This material and other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior express written permission of THE NEWS ACCELERATOR NETWORK.

For advertising inquiries, news coverage or press releases, contact thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com or 08051017159.