In a significant legal development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and nine other former governors in the 10th Senate for allegedly receiving both salaries and pensions as senators.
This action was confirmed in a press statement released by Kolawole Oluwadare, the Deputy Director of SERAP, and subsequently made public by Findwhosabi on Sunday.
The lawsuit, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2023 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, aims to compel Mr. Akpabio, the other nine senators, and Mr. Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, to halt the collection of both salaries and pensions and return any pensions received to their respective state treasuries.
SERAP argues that this practice is unconstitutional and in direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution. It contends that the Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires former governors to cease collecting both salaries and pensions upon taking up new public offices.
Furthermore, SERAP seeks an order for Mr. Akpabio, the nine senators, and Mr. Umahi to clarify and disclose whether they have been receiving both salaries and pensions as former governors and to provide details regarding the amounts received.
The statement issued by SERAP highlights that collecting pensions as former governors and salaries while serving as public officers is a breach of public trust and a violation of the Nigerian Constitution. It further emphasizes that such practices are detrimental to the public interest, especially in a country where millions of Nigerians live in extreme poverty.
The lawsuit comes as a response to reports that numerous former governors have been benefiting from double emoluments, including pensions running into billions of naira from their respective states, while simultaneously holding public offices. SERAP contends that such practices are contrary to international conventions, including the UN Convention against Corruption.
The statement also sheds light on the extensive benefits provided to former governors and their deputies, including pensions, medical treatments, security, and other privileges, as per the laws of various states in Nigeria.
As of now, no specific hearing date has been scheduled for the case. SERAP’s legal action has ignited discussions about the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional principles among public officials in Nigeria.