SERAP gives Akpabio, Abbas seven days to recover N110bn from lawmakers

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas seven days to ensure that members of the National Assembly refund all monies, allowances, and benefits derived from the N110 billion vehicle procurement and support allowance schemes declared unlawful by a Federal High Court.

In a statement issued on Sunday, SERAP said the demand followed a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, which held that the expenditure of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations and the public trust.

The rights group urged Akpabio, Abbas and the National Assembly to establish effective mechanisms to ensure that future procurement and spending of public funds strictly comply with due process, transparency, accountability and value-for-money principles.

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SERAP also called for the institutionalisation of public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget during every budget cycle and the proactive publication of detailed budgetary and expenditure information to enhance transparency and public participation.

According to the organisation, Justice Bogoro’s ruling makes it imperative for lawmakers to make full restitution for the unlawful expenditure.

“Allowing lawmakers to retain benefits derived from unlawful and unconstitutional expenditure would be entirely inconsistent with the constitutional duty to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power and would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions,” SERAP said.

The group argued that no public official should retain benefits obtained through conduct that has been judicially declared unlawful and unconstitutional.

“Restitution is necessary to uphold the rule of law, restore public trust and ensure accountability for violations of constitutional and statutory duties,” it added.