SERAP Sues Senate President Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Over N21m Monthly Allowances

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. The lawsuit challenges the National Assembly’s practice of allegedly setting its own allowances and running costs, which SERAP claims is illegal.

SERAP’s lawsuit, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024), seeks a court order to compel both Akpabio and Abbas to halt the practice of the National Assembly determining its remuneration and allowances, often referred to as “running costs.” The organization is also demanding that the Senate President and Speaker disclose the exact amount of these monthly payments and how they are spent.

The legal action follows recent comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who accused lawmakers of fixing their salaries and allowances independently of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC). Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, also disclosed in a recent interview that each senator earns at least N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances.

SERAP argues that the payment of these running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers violates Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which stipulates that public funds must not be paid into private bank accounts. The organization contends that this practice is a clear breach of public trust and inconsistent with the constitutional obligations of lawmakers.

In addition to seeking an end to this practice, SERAP is asking the court to order Akpabio and Abbas to refer any allegations of misuse of these funds to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.

SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Blessing Ogwuche, emphasized that accountability in the National Assembly is crucial for building public trust and upholding the rule of law. They argue that the alleged self-serving actions of lawmakers undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and violate both national and international legal obligations, including those under the UN Convention against Corruption.

No date has yet been set for the hearing of the case.