SERAP Drags Akpabio, Oshiomole, others to court over collection of pensions.

SERAP Drags Akpabio, Oshiomole, others to court over collection of pensions.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Senate President Godswill Akpabio and nine other former governors in the 10th National Assembly over collection of salaries and pensions as lawmakers.

Joined in the suit as respondents are: Abdulaziz Yari; Aminu Tambuwal; Adamu Aliero; Adams Oshiomole; Ibrahim Gaidam; Seriake Dickson; Ibrahim Dankwambo; Aliyu Wammako; Gbenga Daniel and Dave Umahi.

In the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2023, and filed over the weekend by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Valentina Adegoke, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the group is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel the defendants to stop collecting both salaries and pensions, as well as return any pension collected to their states’ treasuries.

It is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel the senators and minister to disclose the details and amounts of pensions so far received by them.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that the Seventh Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) requires the ex-governors to stop collecting both salaries and pensions, and to return any pensions collected.

The organisation is insisting that, unless the reliefs are granted, the erstwhile governors would continue to enjoy life perks as serving public officers, while travesty and private self-interest continue.

The body is also maintaining that it is a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for former governors to collect both salaries and pensions, adding that the action is detrimental to public interest.

According to SERAP, collecting pensions as former governors and salaries, while serving as public officers, is a flagrant violation of the letter and spirit of the constitution and public trust.

It argued: “The UN Convention also implicitly prohibits large severance benefits for public officials. The convention, specifically, in Article 8, requires public officers to promote integrity and responsibility in the management of public resources.”