“SERAP Takes Legal Action Against Akpabio and Abbas Over ₦21 Million Monthly National Assembly Expenses”

Babatunji Wusu –

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. The lawsuit challenges the National Assembly’s practice of setting its own allowances and running costs without transparency.

This legal action follows former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s claims that lawmakers have been setting their own salaries and allowances, ignoring the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

Filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024, SERAP seeks to stop Akpabio and Abbas from continuing the practice of determining their own pay and allowances, known as “running costs.” They are also demanding the disclosure of the exact monthly running costs for lawmakers and a detailed account of how these funds are used.

SERAP argues that paying running costs into lawmakers’ personal accounts violates Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which forbids public money from being deposited into private accounts. They also contend that this practice breaches the Nigerian Constitution and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which Nigeria has committed to.

The lawsuit emphasizes that lawmakers must act transparently and in the public interest, as required by their constitutional oath. SERAP believes that allowing lawmakers to set their own pay undermines public trust and good governance. They are also calling for any misused or mismanaged funds to be accounted for and returned, which they argue will help restore public confidence and uphold the rule of law.

In addition, SERAP is asking the court to compel Akpabio and Abbas to refer allegations of misuse to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and potential prosecution.

The suit highlights the need for public officials to maintain high standards of integrity and accountability in managing public resources. It stresses that Nigerians have the right to scrutinize how their tax money is spent. SERAP’s lawyers—Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Blessing Ogwuche—assert that ending the practice of lawmakers setting their own salaries and allowances would improve public trust in the National Assembly.

Currently, no hearing date has been set for the case.