SERAP sues Akpabio, Abbas for fixing NASS running costs

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over failure to end alleged unlawful practice by the National Assembly of fixing its allowances and running costs, and the failure to account for the monthly running costs paid to members.

Akpabio and Abbas were sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.

Recall that former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently alleged that the lawmakers fix their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

In the suit, number FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024 filed at the weekend, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the alleged unlawful practice the National Assembly.

The organisation is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio and 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.

SERAP is also seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the alleged practice of paying remuneration and allowances termed as ‘running costs’ into the personal accounts of lawmakers, among others.

SERAP also described the alleged practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers as 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 the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Ms Blessing Ogwuche, the group said directing and compelling the lawmakers to account for and return any misused or mismanaged running costs they collected would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.