Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas regarding their proposal to spend N40 billion on luxury cars and N70 billion on palliatives for new members. SERAP seeks a court order to compel Akpabio and Abbas to revise the budget and reduce the allocation for the National Assembly by N110 billion to align with the country’s economic realities.
The lawsuit (FHC/L/CS/1606/2023) was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, urging that the N40 billion budget for purchasing 465 SUVs and bulletproof cars be reconsidered and reduced. Additionally, SERAP seeks to prevent Akpabio and Abbas from accepting the funds until a thorough assessment of the impact on the 137 million impoverished Nigerians is conducted.
SERAP asserts that public officials, including lawmakers, have an obligation to serve the citizens honestly and faithfully. The organization highlights that the proposed N110 billion spending is on top of the N281 billion allocated to the lawmakers in the 2023 National Assembly budget.
The legal action is brought on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Blessing Ogwuche.
Meanwhile, members of ‘The Initiatives’, which include current and former National Assembly lawmakers, have praised the Senate’s initial actions under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio. Contrary to concerns that the Senate would become subservient to the executive branch, The Initiatives note positive steps taken by the Senate, such as addressing troops deployment to Niger Republic, preventing electricity tariff increases, and intervening in various disputes. The group believes that the Senate is demonstrating ethical integrity and a commitment to supporting the well-being of Nigerians.